Donald Trump has vowed to implement a policy to halt the construction of wind turbines across the United States if he is re-elected for a second term. This pledge comes after his recent comments urging the UK to "get rid of windmills" and reopen the North Sea for oil and gas exploration.
Threatening billions of dollars in planned wind projects, Trump argued that wind turbines "litter our country" and are both unwanted and expensive. "It's the most expensive energy there is. It's many, many times more expensive than clean natural gas," he said.
Trump, who has opposed a wind project near his golf course in Aberdeen, Scotland, has been a long-time critic of wind energy. He has even made the unfounded claim that wind turbines cause cancer. Supporters of wind power countered that Trump's stance would increase electricity costs and eliminate a domestic source of clean energy.
If implemented, this policy could have significant consequences for the future of wind energy in the US. Wind energy has become a crucial part of the country’s renewable energy landscape, contributing to a cleaner energy mix and providing jobs in industries such as manufacturing, construction, and maintenance. In 2023, wind energy accounted for around 10% of the US electricity generation, with more projects under development.
The policy presents a complex debate over the future of energy in the US, and further details will be provided once he is sworn in for his second term on January 20th.
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