The memo states the withdrawal temporarily prevents consideration of any area in the OCS for any new or renewed wind energy leasing for the purposes of generation of electricity or any other such use derived from the use of wind. It does not apply to leasing related to any other purposes such as oil, gas, minerals, and environmental conservation.
The withdrawal does not affect rights under the existing leases, however, “the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Attorney General as needed, shall conduct a comprehensive review of the ecological, economic, and environmental necessity of terminating or amending any existing wind energy leases, identifying any legal bases for such removal, and submit a report with recommendations to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy.”
It also calls for the temporary cessation and immediate review of wind leasing and permitting practices due to what it says are, “various alleged legal deficiencies underlying the Federal Government’s leasing and permitting of onshore and offshore wind projects.”
The Secretary of the Interior will lead that assessment and review in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Secretary of Energy, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
The assessment is designed to consider the environmental impact of onshore and offshore wind projects upon wildlife, including, but not limited to, birds and marine mammals. The assessment will also look at the economic costs associated with the intermittent generation of electricity and the effect of subsidies on the viability of the wind industry.
The memo also places a temporary moratorium on all activities and rights of Magic Valley Energy, LLC, a wind farm developer with major projects planned in Idaho, and its project partners, stemming from a record of decision issued by the Biden administration in December. The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to review the record of decision and conduct a new, comprehensive analysis of the various interests implicated by the Lava Ridge Wind Project and the potential environmental impacts if needed.
The Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency are tasked with assessing the environmental impact and cost to surrounding communities of defunct and idle windmills and delivering a report to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, with their findings. Depending on their report they may require that the wind turbines be removed.
Wind power currently provides about 10% of the electricity generated in the United States.
