Donald Trump has vowed to end US offshore wind projects like those planned in New Jersey. Will he succeed?

ATLANTIC CITY — Opponents of offshore wind projects expect President-elect Donald Trump to kill the industry he promised to end on his first day back in the White House.

But it may not be that straightforward.

Many of the largest offshore wind companies made a bold statement about the election results, pledging to work with Trump and Congress to build energy projects and ignoring the novel president’s oft-expressed hostility toward them.

During campaign speeches, Trump criticized offshore wind energy and promised to sign an executive order blocking such projects.

“We’re going to make sure this ends on day one,” Trump said in a May speech. “I’m going to write that into an executive order. It will end on the first day.”

“They destroy everything, they’re terrible, they’re the most expensive energy there is,” Trump said. “They are destroying the environment, they are killing birds, they are killing whales.”

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Many federal and state science agencies say so no evidence linking preparations for the construction of an offshore wind farm with a wave of whale deaths on the east coast of the United States in recent years. Turbines are known to kill shorebirds, but the industry and regulators say policies are in place to mitigate environmental damage.

Trump complained that offshore wind turbines were spoiling the view from his golf course in Scotland. But numerous environmental groups say the real reason he opposes offshore wind is his support for the fossil fuel industry.

Nearly 65 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity, enough to power more than 26 million homes, is under development in the U.S., with some turbines already operating in several states, according to the American Clean Power Association.

Projects currently in operation include the Block Island Wind Farm in Rhode Island, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Pilot Project, and the South Fork Wind Farm located approximately 55 miles east of Montauk Point on Long Island, New York.

Debate participants say Trump likely won’t finish these projects, but he may have a greater impact on those still in the planning stages.

Bob Stern, who headed the U.S. Department of Energy’s environmental office during the Ford, Carter and Reagan administrations, said Trump could push Congress to reduce or eliminate offshore wind tax breaks granted under the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act . These loans are an integral part of the finances of many offshore wind farm projects.

Stern, who heads the anti-offshore wind group Save LBI in New Jersey, said Trump could also issue an executive order banning further offshore leases and revoking approval of contracts already approved, while pressing Congress to change federal laws to provide greater protections. marine mammals.

The president-elect could also appoint leaders of agencies involved in regulating offshore wind energy who would be hostile or less supportive towards her.

Opponents of offshore wind, including many Republicans, stunned after the election by saying they fully expected Trump to end the industry.

“I think this is a turning point for the offshore wind industry in America,” said Robin Shaffer, president of Protect Our Coast NJ, one of the most vocal groups opposing offshore wind on the East Coast. “For many years, Democrat-led administrations at the federal and state levels have shown them an educational path. For this industry, (Tuesday’s) results will bring much greater difficulties than before.”

However, Tina Zappile, director of the Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University in New Jersey, noted that in 2018, Trump’s Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke expressed mighty support for offshore wind energy. And while the president-elect has sharply criticized the technology, she predicted he won’t just make it disappear.

“Offshore wind may seem to be on its last legs – Trump has clearly said he will fix it on day one – but once the economics of offshore wind are consistent with his overall strategies to return production to America and turn to energy… independent, his administration will probably slowly backtrack on that claim,” she said in an interview. “Offshore wind power may be temporarily curtailed, but its long-term prospects in the U.S. are unlikely to be harmed.”

Commercial fishermen in Maine expressed hope that the Trump administration would roll back policies intended to lend a hand build and approve offshore wind projects, saying regulators were trying to “future-proof the industry against political change.” Jerry Leeman, CEO of the New England Fishermen’s Stewardship Association, called on Trump to withdraw his pledge to deploy 30 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2030.

The offshore wind industry is taking an positive stance, pledging to work with Trump and his political allies. National and New Jersey wind energy producer groups and several offshore wind developers, including Denmark-based Atlantic Shores and Orsted, issued similarly worded statements highlighting terms that could be attractive to Republicans, including job creation, economic development and national security.

“By combining the strengths of all the nation’s energy resources, the Trump administration can advance a vibrant, safe and clean economy,” Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association, said in a statement. “We are committed to working with the Trump-Vance Administration and the new Congress to continue this great American success story.”

But few Republicans were in a positive mood after the election. New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Kanitra singled out major offshore wind companies in a Facebook post, saying, “It’s time to pack our bags and get away from the Jersey Shore, our marine life, fishing industry and beautiful beaches.”

Kanitra said he looked forward to “stock prices falling.” And it was starting to happen.

Share prices of European offshore wind companies, many of which are planning or building projects on the U.S. East Coast, have fallen on concerns that the novel administration will try to leisurely or end such projects. Orsted closed down nearly 14% on Wednesday and has fallen 11% over the past five days. During the same period, the value of turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems fell by almost 24%.

Rep. Jeff Van Drew, a New Jersey Republican, hosted Trump at a rally earlier this year where Trump again promised to eliminate offshore wind energy.

“We are currently working through the details of what this will look like when he takes office again in January,” VanDrew said. “President Trump is a good friend of New Jersey and understands the devastating impact these projects will have on our communities.”