Trump’s Wrong Turn on Wind Energy

WASHINGTON (Jan. 21, 2025) - President Trump announced todaythat he was halting new leasing for wind projects while fast-tracking plans to have more production of oil and gas on federal lands and waters.

Wind provides more than 10% of U.S. power today, making it the largest source of renewable energy. The top four wind-producing states are: Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma and Kansas. The industry employs more than 131,000 Americans in all 50 states, including 20,000 wind manufacturing jobs. Of onshore wind projects, 99% are on private land, so they cannot be blocked by federal action.

The following is a statement from Kit Kennedy, managing director for power at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

"On day one, the Trump administration is putting dirty fossil fuels front and center while delaying progress on renewable energy projects. This is as harmful as it is wrong headed. Putting the brakes on homegrown wind energy is not only bad for clean air, public health and national security - it cuts short a promising source of additional power at a time when our electricity grid needs it most."

"This is bad for American workers, as well. The growing U.S. wind industry and its manufacturing supply chain are creating quality jobs and growing local economies along our coasts and across the Midwest. This announcement put those investments -- and the jobs that go with them -- at mortal risk."

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NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).