Trump's antipathy to wind energy is lose-lose-lose

President Donald Trump's disdain for offshore wind energy has proven to be a costly and misguided approach for the United States government. The administration has been forced to cough up millions of dollars to companies that had invested in canceled projects, all in an effort to prevent the development of these wind farms. In a particularly egregious move, the Trump administration agreed to pay German energy firm RWE $1.22 billion to halt the progress of offshore wind projects, including one set to be built in New York.

This has pushed the total amount that Trump's administration has committed to opposing wind energy to around $4 billion. It's worth noting that Trump's decisions in this regard have been characterized as immoral, dangerous, authoritarian, and corrupt, but few have been as blatantly foolish as this one. Had Trump simply stepped aside and allowed these wind projects to proceed, it could have resulted in job creation and bolstered the nation's energy independence, particularly important given the current context.