The Trump administration took another swing at offshore wind Wednesday, rescinding areas of federal waters deemed most suitable for wind development.
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which oversees leasing in federal waters, said it rescinded all designated “Wind Energy Areas” on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
The move follows an order from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Tuesday directing his department to go after any “preferential treatment” for wind and solar projects on federal territory. BOEM is part of Interior.
Wind energy areas are defined by BOEM as sections of federal waters “that appear most suitable for commercial wind energy activities, while presenting the fewest apparent environmental and user conflicts,” according to the bureau’s website. BOEM has previously used designated wind areas to guide lease sales for offshore wind.
