By Jake Spring, Washington Post
The White House suffered three court losses last week, and the oil industry has grown alarmed by the president’s vendetta against the offshore wind industry.
And in recent months, an informal coalition of companies across the energy industry, including oil and clean energy firms, has emerged to push for an end to the targeting of wind energy, fearing they could fall prey to the same tactics in the future.
“We know what administrations can do to our projects when they have opposition to building pipelines or other energy infrastructure. This has never just been about wind,” said Mike Sommers, president of the American Petroleum Institute lobby group.
The blocked wind projects have become inextricably linked to a push in Congress to overhaul the system for permitting infrastructure projects, a top legislative objective for oil firms. While a bill passed in the House, Senate debate broke down after the administration’s Dec. 22 stop-work orders for all five offshore wind projects under construction on the East Coast. Negotiations remain on hold.
“It’s time for both sides to put their weapons downand let’s work on getting comprehensive permitting reform done in this Congress,” Sommers said.
Still, analysts agree that Trump’s personal preferences are driving the anti-wind policy. More than a decade ago, he unsuccessfully sued to stop offshore wind turbines built near a Scottish golf course he owned and has apparently nursed a grudge ever since. The mounting court losses and industry pressure may not change his mind.
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