Trump's War on Wind Power Gains Traction

President Donald Trump's long-standing animosity towards wind power, reportedly stemming from turbines visible from his Scottish golf course, has translated into robust government action aimed at dismantling the U.S. wind energy sector. Trump has frequently criticized windmills as "ugly," "noisy," and "expensive," and has also claimed they kill birds, though environmental groups note they cause far fewer avian deaths than cars, cats, or building collisions.

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Want to see a bird graveyard?

Coupled with his skepticism about climate change, which he has called "a hoax," Trump's disdain for wind power has led to policies that reverse the Biden administration's clean energy incentives. Instead, under a directive of "drill, baby, drill," energy companies are reportedly being paid to abandon wind turbine projects midstream and invest in fossil fuels. This "pay-not-to-play" approach has seen the government reimburse companies for offshore wind farm leases.

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prioritises affordability for hardworking American consumers over the prior administration’s ideological, ineffective energy policies

One significant example is the deal with French power company TotalEnergies, which received $1 billion (€866m) to abandon its offshore wind farm leases. The government justified this by stating it "prioritizes affordability for hardworking American consumers over the prior administration’s ideological, ineffective energy policies," and would enhance national security and reduce bills. TotalEnergies' Chairman Patrick Pouyanné confirmed the decision, stating that offshore wind development was "not in the country’s interest."

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Considering that the development of offshore wind projects is not in the country’s interest, we have decided to renounce offshore wind development in the United States, in exchange for the reimbursement of the lease fees.

However, these actions have ignited fierce opposition from Democratic politicians. New York Governor Kathy Hochul demanded explanations regarding national security threats, while New York Attorney General Letitia James, on behalf of seven Democrat-run states, filed a lawsuit to overturn the TotalEnergies deal. James condemned the agreement as a "sham deal" that used taxpayer money to abandon offshore wind in favor of oil and gas investment.

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If there is a national security threat off the coast of New York, you need to tell me what it is - I want a briefing right now.