Trump has hindered offshore wind while China invests heavily
By JENNIFER McDERMOTT, Associated Press, Updated 2:28 PM EDT, May 14, 2026
President Donald Trump is stopping offshore wind projects in the United States, just as the industry was poised to grow significantly.
Offshore wind energy has the potential to deliver large amounts of clean energy along U.S. coastlines. Three offshore wind farms are open in the United States, and three more have begun delivering power as they finish construction or final testing before fully opening.
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There are more than 40 federal offshore wind leases. The Trump administration is buying some leases back, giving payouts to energy companies to walk away from offshore wind. Trump has erected other roadblocks for the industry, while going all-in on fossil fuels.
His stance runs counter to many other countries that are embracing using wind turbines at sea to help meet a growing demand for electricity cleanly. China, where Trump is attending a summit this week, is the global leader in offshore wind. Unlike burning oil, coal and natural gas, wind turbines produce electricity without warming the planet.
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