The Louisiana wind industry’s plan for survival: Outlast Trump
Trump brought offshore wind development to a near standstill. Louisiana companies plan to "wait for the clock to run out" in 2029.
Louisiana's offshore wind industry faces an uncertain future as President Donald Trump's policies have stalled development of the sector. The industry is counting on the January 21, 2029 deadline, when Trump exits office, to put an end to his opposition. State Representative Joe Orgeron, a Republican from southeastern Louisiana, expressed optimism about the impending shift in administration, stating, "We all get to wave goodbye" as the current administration's obstruction ends.
Similarly, Madelyn Smith, a program manager with the Southeastern Wind Coalition, acknowledged the hostile environment under the Trump administration, which has halted offshore wind advancements. Under Trump, the administration offered developers $4 billion in payouts to walk away from projects, resulting in the abandonment of 12 offshore wind leases and the potential capacity of 21 gigawatts.
Louisiana companies, previously involved in offshore oil and gas, have redirected their expertise to wind farm development, with about $1 billion in investments benefiting the region's shipyards and fabrication facilities. However, Trump's vocal opposition to wind energy, rooted in his disdain for renewable technology, has put Louisiana businesses in a precarious position, with some facing layoffs and a decline in morale.
Written by urgent.news from Grist's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
