Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
BOSTON - On the first day of his Presidency, Donald Trump announced he is halting development of all offshore wind projects across the United States. Right now, there are enough offshore wind projects in development in the United States to power over six million homes once completed.
The order poses a risk to multiple offshore wind projects underway in Massachusetts, including New England Wind 1 and 2 and SouthCoast Wind, whose Construction and Operations Plan was approved by the Biden administration last week.
By stopping ongoing projects, Trump has cancelled the 77,000 stable, high-paying jobs created by President Biden within the offshore wind sector. Additionally, offshore wind is a reliable source of domestic energy that would lower energy bills for families, and drastically reduce toxic air and water pollution caused by dirty fossil fuels.
Donald Trump’s pause on offshore wind will take jobs away from hard-working Americans, raise monthly energy bills, hurt coastal communities, and expose people to more deadly pollution.
“President Trump continues to deny what has been proven true here in Massachusetts and across New England,” said Vick Mohanka, Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter Director. “Offshore wind has provided Commonwealth residents with domestically-produced, reliable, clean electricity and thousands of good-paying and union jobs. Pausing development of ongoing projects will threaten the livelihoods of Massachusetts workers and frustrate our state’s efforts to end fossil fuel dependence. In the face of mounting opposition and increased energy demands, we will double down in our fight for renewable energy, clean air, and green jobs for all Massachusetts families.”
“By banning offshore wind, Trump is kneecapping a critical contributor to our grid,” said Xavier Boatright, Sierra Club Deputy Legislative Director for Clean Energy and Electrification. “Offshore wind is cheaper, safer, and more reliable than fossil fuels, yet Donald Trump has once again sold out the American people in order to boost profits for his buddies in the fossil fuel industry. As our country faces increasing energy demands and a worsening climate crisis, now is not the time to pump the brakes on offshore wind. We are ready to fight back against this callous decision that will raise prices for our communities, take away jobs, and worsen the state of our environment.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.