President Donald Trump has halted offshore wind leasing, frozen funding for renewable energy and created uncertainty around clean energy tax credits, leaving states scrambling to salvage their climate goals.
Alex Brown reports for Stateline.
In short:
- Trump has blocked offshore wind leases, frozen grants for renewable energy and halted permits for some wind and solar projects, reversing Biden-era policies.
- State leaders argue these actions are unlawful and expect legal challenges but worry the uncertainty will deter investors from backing clean energy projects.
- Some Republicans support keeping clean energy tax credits, but Trump could still undermine them through regulatory changes or congressional action.
Key quote:
“It’s a HUGE roadblock, and put huge in capital letters. It’s a real, real problem for the immediate future and maybe even the long-term future.”
— New Jersey state Sen. Bob Smith, chair of the Environment and Energy Committee
Why this matters:
Many states rely on federal support to transition to renewable energy, and Trump’s actions threaten to stall progress. Offshore wind, a key component of clean energy plans, faces an uncertain future. The instability could discourage investment, slowing efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
