US President Donald Trump’s administration has withdrawn or terminated $679m in funding for 12 offshore wind-related port projects across America.
US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the move, describing the 12 projects as “doomed”. He said that where possible, funding will be used to invest in “real infrastructure, restoring American maritime dominance”.
“Wasteful wind projects are using resources that could otherwise go towards revitalising America’s maritime industry,” Duffy said.
“Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg bent over backwards to use transportation dollars for their Green New Scam agenda while ignoring the dire needs of our shipbuilding industry.
“Thanks to President Trump, we are prioritising real infrastructure improvements over fantasy wind projects that cost much and offer little.”
The Trump administration has refocused the Department of Transportation (USDOT) and its Maritime Administration (MARAD) on rebuilding America’s shipbuilding capacity, unleashing “more reliable, traditional forms of energy”.
As part of its review of all discretionary grant programmes with obligated and unobligated projects, USDOT identified 12 offshore wind grants and project selections that were “not aligned” with the goals and priorities of the administration.
USDOT has withdrawn one project in the Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects (INFRA) programme, the Humboldt Bay offshore wind project, resulting in a total retraction of roughly $427m.
MARAD has withdrawn six projects and terminated five within its port infrastructure development programme (PIDP), resulting in a total retraction of $177m and roughly $75m, respectively.
The withdrawn PIDP projects include the Sparrows Point steel marshalling port project; the Bridgeport Port Authority operations and maintenance wind port project; the wind port at Paulsboro; the Arthur Kill Terminal; gateway upgrades at the Port of Davisville; and the Norfolk offshore wind logistics port.
The five PDIP projects that have been terminated include Redwood Marine Terminal Project Planning; Salem Wind Port; Lake Erie Renewable Energy Resilience Project; Radio Island Rail Improvements in Support of Offshore Wind; and PMT Offshore Wind Development.
Oceantic Network chief executive Liz Burdock condemned the move, saying: “The Trump administration is weakening our country’s national security and destroying good-paying jobs by pulling critical funding designed to update our ageing maritime infrastructure.
“Offshore wind port development upgrades facilities and capabilities that serve multiple industries; however, by selectively limiting infrastructure investments and removing mandated agreements in energy and shipyards, the administration is stalling essential development that delivers on shared priorities of national security and energy dominance, and signals to the investment community the US is not safe place for investment.
“The US offshore wind industry has sparked $5.1bn in port funding and created more than 6000 jobs, making this critical infrastructure mission ready for a variety of roles.
“It’s also expanded tax revenue for seaside communities where port assets were idle or underused for decades.
“This political action from the administration is another targeted attack on American jobs and American taxpayers, which will raise electricity prices for millions across the US and put thousands out of work.”