U.S. wind developers are receiving mixed signals from the Trump administration as lawmakers negotiate a bipartisan deal to overhaul federal permitting for energy projects, Bloomberg reports.
The Pentagon has cleared five onshore wind projects through national security reviews after delays stalled hundreds of ventures, while the administration has asked federal courts to allow it to reconsider three offshore wind projects approved under former President Joe Biden, potentially preserving the option to revoke their approvals.
The moves have raised concerns that the administration’s shifting approach could undermine negotiations. The proposed legislation would limit federal agencies’ ability to revoke, suspend, modify or interfere with approved projects and allow companies to sue over government interference.
Supporters say the reforms are critical to accelerating energy infrastructure construction as artificial intelligence drives electricity demand, while some Democrats and environmental groups oppose the compromise.
The stakes are significant for an industry that supplies about 11% of U.S. electricity. Onshore wind installations are projected to total roughly 7 gigawatts this year, down from 17 gigawatts in 2020, while another 4 gigawatts of onshore projects expected to come online this year and next have faced delays.
BloombergNEF also expects no additional offshore wind farms to begin operating beyond those already under construction without major policy changes. Renewable energy trade groups are urging Congress to pass the permitting legislation, arguing it would provide greater certainty for developers and help expand electricity supplies.
However, negotiations could stall during the lame-duck legislative session following the November midterm elections, leaving the industry facing continued uncertainty over project approvals and investment.
