đź•’ Last updated on August 30, 2025
The administration has announced the cancellation of $679 million in federal funding that was promised to support 12 offshore wind projects across the United States. This includes a major $427 million grant in California.
A sudden halt to federal offshore wind grants
These funds were initially awarded to build new ports, marine terminals, and facilities that would handle the construction and maintenance of large offshore wind turbines. Offshore wind projects were seen as a key part of America’s transition to renewable energy.
Officials explained that the money should instead be directed toward strengthening traditional maritime industries. According to them, using billions of dollars for wind projects was not a good use of taxpayer money.
The decision marks one of the largest pullbacks of clean energy support in recent years, raising concerns among local communities and state leaders who were relying on these projects for jobs, infrastructure, and long-term growth.
Impact on California’s Humboldt Bay project
The single biggest cancellation was for a planned offshore wind terminal in Humboldt County, California. The $427 million funding package was meant to transform an unused marine terminal into a hub for assembling and launching massive wind turbines into the Pacific Ocean.
This project was set to be the first offshore wind terminal on the West Coast. It was considered a way to bring new life to a region where industries had declined and unemployment had remained high.
The funding would have paid for upgrading old facilities, making the port suitable for heavy construction work, and creating a launch site for future wind projects. Now, with the funds canceled, those plans have been put on hold.
State officials have criticized the cancellation, calling it a major setback not only for clean energy but also for local economies. They argue that stopping such projects means the country loses out on both jobs and progress in developing renewable industries.
Projects canceled across multiple states
The cancellation does not only affect California. Several other projects across the East Coast are also being cut off from federal support.
- A $47 million grant for a planned offshore wind logistics and manufacturing hub near the Port of Baltimore in Maryland has been canceled. This site was meant to become a supply chain center for turbine parts.
- A $48 million grant for a terminal project on Staten Island in New York has also been stopped. The project had been announced in 2022 and was expected to boost local development and job creation.
- Another $33 million grant for a port redevelopment project in Salem, Massachusetts, has been revoked. The plan was to turn a vacant industrial facility into a base for offshore wind construction.
Officials in Massachusetts said the Salem project alone would have supported 800 construction jobs. Now, with the funding gone, those jobs are at risk, and ongoing work at the site is uncertain.
💨 Trump calls wind turbines “ugly” and a “con job” in fiery rant against renewable energy
In total, 12 projects in multiple states are losing promised funding. Many of them were already in the planning or early construction stages. Local governments had counted on these federal dollars to modernize old port areas and provide new opportunities for workers.
The administration has also announced that other large infrastructure projects are under review. This includes earlier grants for high-speed rail, environmental infrastructure, and additional clean energy developments.
Agencies such as the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Commerce are also reviewing offshore wind farms that were approved in the last administration. This comes after two major cancellations of wind farm contracts along the Atlantic coast earlier this year.
Trump moves to curb foreign journalists with sharp visa cuts citing security concerns
Communities that had expected new investments are now left in uncertainty. Projects that were meant to create thousands of jobs and improve energy supply have been stalled by the sudden withdrawal of federal money.