US Interior secretary orders offshore wind project shut down

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report evaluating the Department of the Interior's management of offshore wind development, uncovering only minor deficiencies. Key recommendations focus on enhancing consultations with tribal leaders and incorporating Indigenous knowledge into planning processes. While uncertainties about environmental impacts exist, especially regarding invasive species and navigational effects, the report dispels the notion that wind projects harm local whale populations—a point often leveraged by detractors. However, due to Trump's historical opposition to wind energy, ongoing concerns may hinder new developments regardless of these findings.

The GAO's report indicates minor issues with the Department of the Interior's oversight of offshore wind development, suggesting improvements in consultation with tribal leaders and Indigenous knowledge.

Despite Trump's historical animosity toward wind power, the GAO report's generally positive findings may not change the current hold on leasing, reflecting ongoing uncertainty.

Read at Ars Technica