By Benjamin J. Hulac, Washington Correspondent | NJ Spotlight News | January 13, 2025
WASHINGTON — For years, President-elect Donald Trump has furiously criticized renewable energy sources, including offshore wind farms.
To freeze the offshore wind industry, Trump asked Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd) to draft an executive order — something presidents issue without action from Congress — on the topic, Van Drew said.
“I’ve spoken with the president about the wind turbines, and he told me to have my people draw up an executive order. We got it done in forty-eight hours,” Van Drew said in an interview with NJ Spotlight News last week. His office, Van Drew said, passed the text on to officials within the Trump transition team including Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick for Interior Department secretary.
The executive order would halt offshore wind activities for six months as the federal government reviewed the industry, Van Drew said.
“They liked it a lot, at an initial glance,” Van Drew said. “I expect an executive order in the first couple of months.”
If you like this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Please do not take our word for it, try it free for a full month.
