A conservative think tank has escalated its opposition to the Vineyard Wind project, filing a petition with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to halt construction and reconsider the project’s approval process. The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) argues that the Biden administration sidestepped key environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act, when it approved the 806MW offshore wind project.
The petition, filed this week, requests that Burgum direct the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to investigate the approval process and pause all construction activities pending the results. This move comes as the Department of the Interior announced a review of its renewable energy policies to eliminate perceived favoritism toward unreliable energy sources. The department also withdrew all unleased Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) from the outer continental shelf, which were previously slated for offshore wind auctions.
TPPF’s efforts to halt Vineyard Wind have previously been unsuccessful. Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review a lower court ruling that upheld the project. The think tank’s latest petition marks a shift in strategy, targeting the executive branch rather than the judicial system.
The TPPF’s petition and the Interior Department’s policy review could signal a broader shift in federal offshore wind policy. If the Biden administration’s approval process is deemed flawed, it could set a precedent for other offshore wind projects, potentially slowing down the sector’s growth. Conversely, if the administration’s policies are upheld, the project could proceed, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to offshore wind energy.
The outcome of this petition and the Interior Department’s policy review will be closely watched by the energy industry, environmental groups, and coastal communities. The decision could shape the future of offshore wind development in the United States and influence the broader energy transition.