Trump Administration Blocks Another Offshore Wind Project, Killing More Affordable Energy

Washington, D.C. - Yesterday, the Trump Administration movedto rescind the SouthCoast offshore wind project's permit. This is the latest in a string of attacks on fully permitted, rigorously vetted offshore wind projects.

Once completed, the SouthCoast offshore wind project is projected to power 840,000homes with affordable, reliable, clean energy. The project has also created 15,000stable, well-paying jobs

Despite multiple studies showingthat states with the most renewable energy see the slowest-if any-rise in energy costs, the Trump administration has launched an all-out assault on offshore wind. According to a recent poll, nearly 70% of Americans supportoffshore wind projects off the coasts of their own states.

In April, the administration issueda stop work order on the Empire Wind project in New York. This order was eventually reversedafter costing the developer $50 million a week. Nearly a month ago, Revolution Wind in Rhode Island received a similar order. Most recently, the administration moved to revokeMaryland offshore wind project's permits.

In response, Sierra Club Massachusetts Chapter Director Vick Mohanka issued the following response:

"In a time of economic uncertainty and skyrocketing utility bills, the Trump Administration is trying to take one of our best options for jobs, climate, and community health off the table. Our studies show offshore wind will reduce our rates and provide needed long-term relief for our hard-working community members. Our support for responsible development, deep community benefits, and job training for well-paying careers was founded in our relationships with members and supporters set to reap the benefits of clean energy. We will continue to fight with and for our communities to complete the work that will power our future."

Sierra Club Senior Advisor Nancy Pyne added:

"Donald Trump and his administration is taking a sledgehammer to clean energy in order to boost profits for dirty fossil fuels-and everyday Americans are the collateral damage. At a time where energy uncertainty is growing and energy prices are rising, we cannot afford to walk away from American-built clean energy projects that provide affordable and reliable energy.

"Every project this administration has tried to obstruct represents tens of thousands of jobs, and hundreds of thousands of homes that could be powered at a much lower cost than expensive fossil fuels. We will push back against Donald Trump's scheme to benefit fossil fuel executives, and defend our access to clean, cheap, renewable energy."

###

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America's largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit https://www.sierraclub.org.