Source: Fortune.com
Summary
President Donald Trump’s attempts to cancel five massive offshore wind projects along the East Coast have been met with opposition from both environmentalists and Republicans in the U.S. House. Nine Republicans, including Rep. Jen Kiggans, sent a letter to administration officials demanding an explanation for the cancellation. The projects, including the $11.5 billion Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, are expected to create jobs and generate economic activity. Despite Trump’s efforts, the projects are back on track due to federal court rulings.
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The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is expected to create 1,000 jobs and generate $2 billion in economic activity. Trump’s cancellation of the project was met with opposition from Republicans, including Rep. Jen Kiggans, who represents a coastal district in Virginia. Kiggans voted in favor of Republican legislation to gut clean energy tax credits, despite her support for renewable energy. The project is now partially online, but Kiggans’ vote has been criticized by Democrats. The situation highlights the scrambled politics of clean energy in an election year.
Trump’s hatred of “windmills” has become a rallying cry for his base, but it’s also created tension among front-line Republicans like Kiggans, who are caught between their loyalty to the president and their constituents’ support for renewable energy.
Author: Evan Null
