Christine Ho, christine.ho@sierraclub.org
Washington, D.C. - Today, Donald Trump’s Department of the Interior paid TotalEnergies $1 billion for the energy company to abandon its offshore wind projects.
This announcement comes 10 days after a slew of victories in the offshore wind sector that will lower electricity prices for Americans. On March 13, Vineyard Wind in Massachusetts completed construction, and Revolution Wind in Connecticut and Rhode Island officially began sending low-cost power to the grid. The two projects combined are projected to deliver over 1,500 MW of clean, domestic wind energy—enough to power 750,000 homes across the region.
The Trump administration also suffered five straight losses in the courts over its illegal orders to stop offshore wind development.
The offshore wind industry currently represents 25,000 well-paying jobs for Americans.
In response, Sierra Club Deputy Legislative Director Xavier Boatright issued the following statement:
“Donald Trump is taking a sledgehammer to thousands of stable, well-paying local jobs while squandering the opportunity to lower electricity bills for families.
“If Donald Trump had a shred of care for the American people, he would be directing investments towards common sense renewable energy solutions that will lower soaring electricity bills and reduce toxic pollution in our air and water. Offshore wind is the clear path towards a cheaper, cleaner future, and it’s time Donald Trump governs by the facts rather than his commitment to corporate polluters.”
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.