“We are stopping offshore wind leasing—effective immediately.”
The promise
The administration promised to stop new offshore wind lease activity and reassess federal leasing and permitting practices. A January 20, 2025 order withdrew all OCS areas from wind leasing until revoked, followed by Interior actions canceling planned sales and de-designating millions of acres. Treasury and Interior subsequently aligned guidance and program reviews to reduce federal support for wind build-out. Industry and some states protested sunk costs and contract uncertainty, while oil and gas producers praised the shift away from favored treatment for renewables. Legal and policy challenges are ongoing, but leasing moratoria and cancellations took effect rapidly, constraining new project pipelines. As framed—halting new leasing—the promise has been executed by executive order and agency follow-through.
