Este artículo estará disponible en español en El Tiempo Latino.
On January 20, 2025, on his inauguration day, President Donald Trump signed an executive order intended to slow the growth of wind energy capacity in the United States.
“We’re not going to do the wind thing,” Trump stated at a rally following his inauguration. “Big, ugly windmills, they ruin your neighborhood.”
On the same day, the Department of Interior issued a broader order for a 60-day suspension of “any onshore or offshore renewable energy authorization.”
Trump’s History with Wind Energy
Trump’s opposition to wind power is well-documented. He has made numerous, false, and misleading claims about wind energy for nearly a decade. His arguments often include claims about the unreliability of wind energy, its negative impact on property values, and its effect on wildlife.
Furthermore, Trump has asserted that wind energy needs heavy subsidies and is economically impractical. However, studies show that onshore wind energy is competitive with other forms of energy, including natural gas and coal. Grids can manage wind’s variability, ensuring a stable supply of electricity.
Trump, Jan 20: Wind … big, ugly windmills, they ruin your neighborhood, they ruin your — If you have a house that’s near a windmill, guess what? Your house is worth less than half. And did you see up in New England with the whales? You see what’s happening? So, they had two whales killed in about 14 years. Last year and the year before total, they had 28. So, if you’re into whales, you don’t want windmills either. And they’re the most expensive form of energy that you can have, by far. And they’re all made in China, by the way, practically all of them. And they kill your birds, and they ruin your beautiful landscapes. But other than that, I think they’re quite good, right? No, remember when we used to joke and kid — when we were kidding, but we don’t kid anymore — they want to watch the debates on television, they want to watch your favorite president on television, but the wind isn’t blowing, so we can’t watch television that night, “Gladys, remember? Gladys, I’m sorry, the wind is just not blowing, we’re not watching Trump tonight.”
However, these claims are largely unfounded. Evidence does not support that wind turbines significantly reduce property values or pose an greater threat to whales or birds than other human activities. Wind energy remains one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly methods of generating electricity.
The Impact of the Executive Order
The executive order halted new approvals and renewals for wind energy projects on federal land and waters. It also directed a 60-day suspension of new or renewed approvals, rights of way, permits, leases, or loans for onshore or offshore wind projects. The reasons given included potential inadequacies in environmental reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act.
According to Carrie Jenks and Sara Dewey from Harvard’s Environmental & Energy Law Program, the order directly conflicts with other executive orders aimed at accelerating fossil energy production. Matthew Eisenson, from the Columbia University Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, described the order as “extremely expansive,” suggesting it could cause difficulties for existing wind projects requiring minor modifications.
Challenges Faced by the Wind Industry
The wind industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years. Community opposition, misinformation, and supply chain disruptions have hindered its growth. For example, Orsted, a major offshore wind developer, canceled two offshore projects in New Jersey in late 2023 due to high inflation and supply chain issues.
Despite these challenges, the U.S. has made significant progress in wind energy generation. Wind power has grown from 2.4 gigawatts in 2000 to 150.1 gigawatts in April 2024, with wind power exceeding coal-fired generation for a second consecutive month. Projects like Orsted’s Sunrise and Revolution Wind in New Jersey, and Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, are still progressing.
Wind power is a critical component of the U.S. renewable portfolio. It supplied over 10% of the country’s electricity and included more than 73,000 turbines generating a total of 153,000 megawatts. The wind industry invested $10 billion in new projects in 2023 and employed over 131,000 workers.
Impact on Approved Projects and Private Land
The order does not affect existing wind leases or projects that have already received all necessary permits. However, it could complicate minor modifications that require federal approval. Most onshore wind projects occur on private land, where developers typically don’t need federal permits, but some projects may require studies on wetlands or endangered species impacts.
Case Study: The Lava Ridge Wind Project
The 1,000-megawatt Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho faced opposition from local groups and Republicans. After significant concessions to minimize environmental impact, the Bureau of Land Management approved the project in December 2024. However, Trump’s executive order halted the project, directing a comprehensive review of the decision and potential environmental impacts.
Following Trump’s executive order, Idaho Governor Brad Little signed an executive order titled “Gone with the Lava Ridge Wind Project Act,” complementing the federal action. The abrupt reversal of the decision could face legal challenges, as it may undermine the Bureau of Land Management’s comprehensive evaluation of the project.
Trump’s Misleading Statements on Wind Energy
Throughout his tenure, Trump has made various unfounded claims about wind energy:
- Property Values: Studies show little to no impact on property values. Most studies indicate no or small changes, particularly in urban areas.
- Environment: Wind energy generates much lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. While wind turbines do have some environmental impacts, they are minimal compared to other forms of energy generation.
- Whales: There is no scientific evidence linking offshore wind energy to whale deaths. The cause of whale strandings is still unclear, with factors including commercial activity and climate change affecting their migration patterns.
- Birds: While wind turbines do kill birds, buildings and cats pose far greater threats. Estimates suggest 1.3 bird deaths per megawatt of wind capacity annually, compared to 600 million from buildings and 2.4 billion from cats.
- Cost: Wind energy, especially onshore, is competitive with natural gas and coal. Offshore wind is currently more expensive but not excessively so.
- Intermittency: The variability of wind power is manageable. The energy grid includes multiple sources, ensuring a stable supply of electricity.
Editor’s note: FactCheck.org does not accept advertising. We rely on grants and individual donations from people like you. Please consider a donation. Credit card donations may be made through our “Donate” page. If you prefer to give by check, send to: FactCheck.org, Annenberg Public Policy Center, 202 S. 36th St., Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Join the discussion! Share your thoughts on President Trump’s executive order on wind energy. Comment below or share this article on social media. Your input is valuable.
