January 14, 2025 — At the urging of a New Jersey congressman, offshore wind activities would have to hit the brakes under a new executive order that places a temporary moratorium on the industry.
Offshore wind developers — like they’ve done for years — continue to analyze lease areas to determine where offshore wind farms might be constructed. Hundreds are planned across the East Coast, including New Jersey.
U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd District, has been among the most vocal government critics of the nascent energy provider, which has yet to build one offshore wind farm off Jersey’s coast. Last week, the congressman said — at the behest of President-elect Donald Trump’s team — his office drafted an executive order that if issued (action from Congress is not needed) would halt offshore wind activities for six months for a review.
The pause, first reported by NJ Spotlight News, would be in place as federal regulators take a deeper look at the industry’s plans and impacts. Exactly what that means is not clear.