Trump rejects wind despite Senate vote
The Senate advanced a 73-25 vote for permitting reform while the president stated he would not approve new wind turbines.
By Julia Wang ·
President Trump declared on Monday that he would not approve new wind turbines, creating immediate friction for a major infrastructure bill that the Senate advanced by a 73-25 vote. The procedural move cleared the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act for final passage in the weeks ahead, yet the president’s remarks signaled a potential hurdle for renewable energy developers.
The legislation aims to streamline the construction of energy and infrastructure projects by limiting the ability of opponents to sue over environmental grounds. It also restricts the power of states and the Environmental Protection Agency to preemptively block ventures. Supporters argue this will reduce delays that have historically held up fossil fuel and mining operations.
Senate Democrats framed the measure as a cost saver and a climate tool. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) told reporters the bill is expected to save consumers between $60 and $80 per month. He projected it would prevent 1.5 to 1.8 gigatons of greenhouse gas emissions. Whitehouse also cited increases in wind capacity by 25 percent, solar capacity by 28 percent, and battery storage capacity by 70 percent.
Whitehouse called the bill the most powerful climate legislation for the power sector. He stated that it would have a stronger effect than the Inflation Reduction Act, which he attributed to Republican changes to that prior law. However, the president’s opposition to wind projects stands in contrast to the bill’s goal of creating certainty for various energy types.
The bill includes language preventing presidential administrations from revoking existing permits. It also allows project developers to sue the government over disparate treatment of energy sources. Trump said he was still on board with the legislation, which he had urged the Senate to approve over the weekend, even as he criticized wind turbines as a major loser.
Environmental groups have voiced strong opposition. Loren Blackford, executive director of the Sierra Club, stated in a recent statement that rushing the legislation erodes tribal sovereignty and abandons clean water safeguards. She argued it enables a president waging a war on clean energy. The bill was a compromise between Whitehouse, Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
Tribal groups reaffirmed their opposition on Sunday, claiming the bill undermines their sovereignty and weakens federal protections. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) said she could pull support for final passage if Title III, which addresses historic preservation, remains unchanged. She cited concerns from Nevada tribes regarding their ability to weigh in on proposed projects.
The bill now moves to the House, where it has broad support from Republicans and some Democrats. Progressive Democrats are expected to oppose it, citing provisions that promote natural gas pipelines and data centers powered by behind-the-meter gas plants. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) argued that promoting renewable electrons while burning more fossil fuels does not tackle climate change.
