Interior Implements Policies to End Federal Offshore Wind Leasing
The Trump administration issued a series of orders that effectively ended offshore wind leasing in U.S. federal waters. This included implementing policy measures to “end special treatment for unreliable energy sources, such as wind,” rescinding all designated Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), directing agencies to consider a project’s “capacity density” when assessing the project’s potential energy benefits, and beginning “a full review” of offshore wind energy regulations.
The orders likely do not affect lease areas that have been awarded. There are five federal offshore wind leases off of California’s coast. This includes three sites for 3 GW of wind energy in the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area (WEA) and two sites for 1.5 GW of wind energy in the Humboldt Wind Energy Area (WEA).
Ending “Preferential Treatment” for Wind Energy
On July 29, 2025, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum issued Order No. 3437, “Ending Preferential Treatment for Unreliable, Foreign-Controlled Energy Sources in Department Decision-Making,” which directs the Department of the Interior to “end preferential treatment for unreliable energy sources like wind.” The order calls for identifying policies biased in favor of wind and solar energy and halting support for foreign-controlled energy supply chains. The Department will also review its policies to “identify and remove favoritism toward unreliable energy,” and will issue a report of recommended reforms under President Donald Trump’s July 7, 2025 Executive Order 14315 on “Ending Market Distorting Subsidies for Unreliable, Foreign Controlled Energy Sources.”
Withdrawing Onshore Lands: The Department, according to Burgum’s statement, will also consider withdrawing onshore areas with “high potential for wind energy development to ensure compliance with legal requirements for multiple use and sustained yield of public lands.” The Department states that this means “balancing energy development with other important uses—such as recreation and grazing—and protecting BLM-managed lands, as envisioned by Congress.”
Enhancing Stakeholder Engagement for Offshore Wind Development: The Department will also “strengthen its guidance to ensure more meaningful consultation regarding offshore wind development, especially with tribes, the fishing industry, and coastal towns.” The statement noted that the construction and operation of offshore wind turbines “have disproportionate impacts on these stakeholders, from disrupting commercial fishing to driving away tourism.”
Reviewing the Consequences of Developing Wind Turbines on Migratory Birds: The Department will also conduct a review of “avian mortality rates associated with the development of wind energy projects located in migratory flight paths.” It will also determine whether such impacts are “incidental" takings of birds under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and related laws. According to the statement, the Department will also review the applicable regulations “to determine the appropriate approach to permitting these activities, identifying violations of the applicable statutes, and related penalties.”
Rescinding Offshore Wind Energy Areas
On July 30, 2025, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced that it is rescinding all designated Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). The action is in accordance with Order No. 3437 and Trump’s January 20, 2025 order Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the OCS from Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects.
The action ends the federal practice of designating large areas of the OCS for speculative wind development. It also terminates the more than 3.5 million acres offshore that the Biden administration designated as WEAs in the Gulf of America, Gulf of Maine, the New York Bight, California, Oregon, and the Central Atlantic. The Secretary’s memo stated that by terminating these Wind Energy Areas, “we are safeguarding our coastal environments and local economies from unchecked development, while ensuring our power grids are not underpinned by unreliable, subsidized energy sources.” The order likely does not affect lease areas that have been awarded, including those in the Humboldt WEA and the Morro Bay WEA.
Considering “Capacity Density” in Project Approvals
On August 1, 2025, Burgum issued Order No. 3438, which directs Department of the Interior agencies to consider a project’s “capacity density when assessing the project’s potential energy benefits to the nation and impacts to the environment and wildlife.” The Department is ordered to permit only energy projects “that are the most appropriate use of the federal land and resources.” The order is seen as an obstacle for wind and solar projects.
The order states that is will “more efficiently manage our nation’s energy resources by permitting projects that optimize energy generation while minimizing their environmental impact.” The order states that “[m]assive, unreliable energy projects, such as wind and solar, are inefficient uses of federal lands when compared to other energy sources with much smaller footprints, like nuclear, gas and coal.”
Reviewing Offshore Wind Regulations
On August 7, 2025, the Department of the Interior announced that it is launching a full review of offshore wind energy regulations to “ensure alignment with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and America’s energy priorities under President Donald J. Trump.” This includes reviewing the Renewable Energy Modernization Rule, financial assurance requirements, and decommissioning cost estimates for offshore wind projects. The Department states that it wants to “ensure federal regulations do not provide preferential treatment to unreliable, foreign-controlled energy sources over dependable, American-made energy.” The review supports Order 3437, Order 3438, Trump’s memorandum on wind energy, and Executive Order 14315 on identifying and eliminating favoritism toward unreliable energy sources.