Trump Administration clearly denouncing U.S. Winds turbine project
OCEAN CITY, Md – A huge update on the battle over offshore wind. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is notifying Maryland courts that she plans to revoke permit approval from the US Department of the Interior.
Local officials are reacting with approval; they believe the wind turbine project jeopardizes life on the Eastern Shore. Specifically Ocean City, the turbines would be built 10 miles offshore, if the project proceeds.
Maryland State Senator Mary Beth Carozza adds this move by the Federal Government could potentially end the project. “They’ve spent a lot of money on the lawsuits, and at some point when you pull back on the subsidies, and if you pull back on the approvals, it no longer makes business sense for U.S. Wind to go forward on this project.”
She said she will continue to push against the offshore wind turbines on the shore. Maryland State Delegate Wayne Hartman agrees, saying the project’s permit approval is being revoked is massive.
“The President cites national security, but it really is so much more. For our community, it’s about the negative impact on tourism, the negative impact on our real estate values. It would decimate our commercial fishing off the coast.”
However, some people believe the project could bring good to the area. Rebecca Rehr of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters spoke with WMDT at the 2025 MACo Conference. The Director of Climate, Policy, and Justice said the source of energy would make Maryland more energy friendly.
“It’s estimated to power 700,000 homes in the state of Maryland. That’s almost a third of homes in Maryland from a completely pollution free source.”
Jim Strong, who works for the United Steelworkers International Union, speaks highly of other similar projects in the country, like one in Norfolk, Virginia.
“The people I talk to down there say it has increased fishing opportunities. That the fish actually gravitate to these Monopiles, and these are great areas to go fishing.”
Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan disagrees, saying offshore wind doesn’t belong off the coast of Ocean City.
“This could have completely put our ocean city fishermen out of business.”
With the move, it remains to be seen what is next or how U.S. Wind plans to respond.
WMDT will keep you covered on potential changes to the offshore wind saga.
