WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced this week that it is rescinding all designated Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), an action that will de-designate over 3.5 million acres of federal waters previously targeted for offshore wind development.
The decision was made in accordance with a Secretarial Order and a Presidential Memorandum, which aim to end what the Trump administration calls “preferential treatment for unreliable, foreign controlled energy sources.”
The de-designated areas span the Gulf of America, Gulf of Maine, the New York Bight, California, Oregon and the Central Atlantic.
WEAs were initially established to identify offshore locations suitable for wind energy development. The rescission effectively ends the federal practice of designating large swaths of the OCS for speculative wind development.
The move follows Secretary’s Order 3437, titled “Ending Preferential Treatment for Unreliable, Foreign Controlled Energy Sources in Department Decision-Making,” and a Presidential Memorandum from Jan. 20, 2025, which called for a “Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the OCS from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects.”
Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul G. Pinsky on Friday issued the following statement in response to BOEM’s announcement:
“The Trump administration’s latest attack on renewable energy is an insult to America’s economy, energy independence, and the public’s common sense. Offshore wind means good jobs in places that need them. Offshore wind means energy production without the carbon emissions that make storms stronger, flooding worse, and economic disruptions to local economies more severe. And offshore wind means expanded clean energy production for a state, regional grid and country that all need more reliable energy in a bad way.
“More disappointing than its failure of leadership toward more responsible energy is this administration’s tendency to try to use energy policy to change the narrative away from less-then-desirable headlines. The people of Maryland – and beyond – simply deserve a better national energy policy than one based on needless distraction when the news cycle suits. I look forward to continuing to work to move forward the thoroughly studied, much needed, and economically beneficial offshore wind projects slated for Maryland.”
Other local elected officials, however, are applauding the decision.
“A great move by the Trump administration which will protect coastal communities and taxpayers from risky, foreign-controlled projects,” said Maryland Rep. Andy Harris.
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