The Trump administration has launched a comprehensive attack on renewable energy, including Denmark’s Ørsted and its offshore wind project off the Rhode Island coast, signaling a broader rollback of green energy initiatives in the United States.
Trump Targets Ørsted in Renewed Anti-Wind Campaign
Former President Donald Trump’s return to the White House has, as expected, brought turbulence for the wind energy sector. One of the hardest-hit projects is Danish energy giant Ørsted‘s Revolution Wind offshore wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island, a development that had previously been greenlit under the Biden administration.
The Trump administration recently demanded a halt to the project, part of a sweeping series of moves targeting wind energy and the broader green transition. This is not the first time Trump has lashed out against wind turbines. He has notoriously referred to them as eyesores and has made baseless claims that they cause cancer and kill marine wildlife. His vendetta traces back to 2012 when he unsuccessfully tried to stop wind turbines being erected off the coast of his golf resort in Scotland.
Wider Assault on Renewable Projects
The attack on Ørsted is not an isolated case. The administration has already canceled a federal permit for a wind project in Idaho and attempted to stall another major offshore wind farm near New York earlier this year. Just last week, federal support totaling $679 million for several wind projects was withdrawn, dealing a serious blow to ongoing efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure.
Moreover, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been ordered to reassess whether offshore wind farms pose risks to air traffic, further complicating new projects. Trump has also instructed federal agencies to halt the issuance of new permits for wind projects on federally owned land.
Rollbacks Across the Green Energy Sector
Trump’s opposition extends beyond wind farms. The administration has slashed subsidies for both wind and solar energy, rolled back tax rebates for electric vehicles, and added layers of bureaucracy to previously approved clean energy projects. These measures form part of a broader strategy to repeal the climate initiatives established under President Joe Biden.
Despite existing permits and substantial progress on construction, Ørsted’s legal position remains uncertain amidst the regulatory and political upheaval. Industry analysts predict that its Revolution Wind project, which aims to power more than 350,000 homes, will likely be completed, but not without significant delays and added costs.
Fossil Fuels Back in Focus
While green energy faces growing obstacles, the Trump administration is aggressively promoting fossil fuels. Coal plants previously slated for closure are now being kept operational. Environmental regulations have been loosened to facilitate quicker expansion of oil, gas, and coal operations.
One measure reportedly under consideration includes exempting parts of the coal industry from certain pollution control rules. The goal, according to the administration, is to ensure U.S. energy independence and keep fuel prices low.
Notably, gasoline prices dropped to their lowest levels in nearly five years just this week, a point Trump is quick to associate with his energy policies.
Political Strategy and Cultural Messaging
The move against clean energy is also deeply political. Trump is using energy policy as a cultural wedge issue in his ongoing campaign to appeal to conservative, working-class voters. By painting Democrats as out-of-touch elites who push costly and restrictive climate regulations, he casts himself as the defender of “real” Americans, coal miners, oil workers, and other industrial laborers.
This narrative is particularly effective in key swing states like Pennsylvania and Michigan, where energy jobs are politically sensitive. By opposing the green transition, Trump strengthens his base and fulfills campaign promises to dismantle Biden-era environmental legislation.
Dark Clouds Ahead for U.S. Green Transition
Despite existing mandates and infrastructure, projections for renewable energy growth in the U.S. have been sharply lowered. According to industry reports, job losses related to canceled or delayed renewable projects could number in the thousands, with billions in planned investments now in question.
Even if legal rulings eventually allow Ørsted’s Revolution Wind to proceed, the broader landscape has changed. With continued regulatory unpredictability under Trump, uncertainty looms large over the future of clean energy in the United States.
