Trump Wind Energy

FILE - Offshore wind turbines of South Fork Wind operate off the coast of Block Island, R.I., Oct. 9, 2024.

DELMARVA- Offshore wind development off the Ocean City coast is facing another setback, as the Trump administration moves to revoke federal approval for the project.

The news came in a court filing Friday in U.S. District Court in Delaware. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the federal government intends to withdraw approval of a U.S. Wind permit in Maryland no later than Sept. 12.

That permit is necessary for construction of more than 100 turbines about 10 miles off the Ocean City shoreline.

The project has faced opposition for years, including recent actions from Worcester County, Ocean City, and Fenwick Island aimed at delaying or stopping construction.

U.S. Wind responded Friday, saying it remains confident the project will move forward.

“Our construction operations plan approval is the subject of ongoing litigation, but we remain confident that the federal permits we secured after a multi-year and rigorous public review process are legally sound,” a company spokesperson said.

Local pushback has extended across state lines. In December, Sussex County Council in Delaware voted 4–1 against a conditional use request that would have allowed U.S. Wind to build an electrical substation near the Indian River Power Plant. Residents argued the substation would bring negative impacts without clear benefits.

However, Delaware lawmakers passed senate bill 159 in July that could eventually allow US Wind to build a substation on that site.

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Reporter

Kristina DeRobertis joined CoastTV as an anchor and video journalist in August 2024. She has been with Draper Media since 2022 and previously worked as a reporter for WBOC out of the station's Dover Bureau. Kristina holds a degree in journalism and media studies with a minor in digital communications from Rutgers University. 

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