Del. Republicans ask Trump to revoke lease, permits for offshore wind project

Delaware’s Senate Republicans have sent a letter to President Donald Trump asking the 47th President to revoke the existing lease and permits for a proposed offshore wind project off the east coast of Maryland and the First State.

The legislators thanked him for his swift action to halt new offshore wind leases and permits, but said they remain deeply concerned about the potential impacts of this project on the region.

Two sides to wind project

The project includes construction of an electrical substation needed by US Wind Inc. to build its massive ocean-based power plant. 

Many who spoke out about it – both legislators and residents – cited that it could obstruct beautiful ocean views and hurt local businesses.

RELATED: Complaint filed against DNREC for US Wind project

The letter pointed out that Delaware’s coastal economy has grown five times faster than the rest of the state from 2012 to 2022, contributing $14.2 billion in revenue and supporting more than 104,000 jobs. 

This activity generates $6.5 billion in labor income and adds $3.3 billion in tax revenue annually. 

“The region is an irreplaceable engine of growth for Delaware and neighboring states,” the caucus’s letter read. “We are concerned that the visibility of towering wind turbines from our pristine shorelines could deter visitors, thereby harming businesses and families who rely on this vital industry.”

Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, did not agree with her colleagues on the other side of the aisle.

“My colleagues’ position is tremendously short-sighted and works against our state goals for renewable energy and energy reliability,” she said. “I’m proud of the work we’ve done in recent years to prioritize sustainable energy practices.”

She said it’s been known from the state’s regional grid operator that Delaware will be facing energy reliability problems within a few years if it does not do more to bring more renewable resources into the grid, and offshore wind plays a major role in that area. 

“We take for granted our ability to turn our lights on, charge our phones, run refrigerators, operate medical equipment — an adequate supply of energy permeates everything that we do on a daily basis, so much so that it is often taken for granted that it will always be available,” she said. 

Sens. Gerald Hocker, Brian Pettyjohn, David Lawson, Bryant Richardson, David Wilson, and Eric Buckson co-wrote the note to Trump, which said the offshore wind project raises significant concerns about maritime navigation.

“This busy stretch of the Atlantic is critical for commercial vessels, fishing fleets, and recreational boaters,” they stated. “The turbines’ placement risks complicating these routes, potentially leading to safety hazards and economic disruptions.”

The letter said that the critical questions about the long-term environmental and economic impacts of offshore wind projects remain unresolved. 

“Without definitive, independent studies confirming that these projects’s benefits outweigh their risks—especially for communities like ours, which rely so heavily on thriving coastlines—we believe it is premature to allow such developments to proceed,” the letter read.

Hansen said the argument that wind turbines will hurt tourism is wrong.

“Other countries that have offshore wind turbines have found that tourism actually increases,” she said. “This occurs through boat tours, sightseeing flights, offshore/onshore information centers, and onshore/offshore energy tours.” 

Eco-tourism is a booming business and Delaware is capable of rising to meet these new opportunities, she said.

“Investing in clean energy ensures that future generations will be able to enjoy Delaware’s coastal communities for years to come,” Hansen said. 

She said her Republican counterparts in the Senate have also inflated the cause to be concerned about maritime safety.

“The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has already coordinated the siting of the lease areas with our national and regional agencies that are charged with our national security,” she said. “There was a thorough process which already eliminated areas that would impact air and sea navigation, and will not be considered for the project.”

The Republican senators thanked Trump for his dedication to preserving the natural and economic treasures of America’s coastlines.

“We stand ready to collaborate with your administration to ensure that renewable energy development proceeds in a balanced, responsible manner,” they wrote.