The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Rescinds Wind Energy Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf

The US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has formally rescinded all designated Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) on the Outer Continental Shelf. The move affects over 3.5m acres of previously targeted offshore wind zones, covering areas such as the Gulf of America, Gulf of Maine, New York Bight, California, Oregon, and the Central Atlantic.

The action follows interior secretary Doug Burgum’s order, aimed at ending preferential treatment for “unreliable, foreign‑controlled energy sources,” and implements a presidential memorandum issued in January, ordering a temporary withdrawal of the OCS from offshore wind leasing and a full review of federal wind permitting practices.

WEAs were originally designated to identify zones deemed optimal for offshore wind development. With their removal, the federal practice of earmarking large ocean areas for “speculative wind energy growth” ends immediately.

President Trump’s memorandum imposed a halt on any new or renewed federal approvals—including leases, rights-of-way, permits, or loans—for onshore and offshore wind projects until a comprehensive interagency review is completed.

The US offshore renewable energy trade body, Oceantic Network, has strongly criticised the policy change, warning of broader consequences for consumers and the national energy strategy.

“This will result in even higher energy costs, increased blackouts, job loss, and billions of dollars in stranded investments… Crippling affordable and reliable wind energy makes no economic sense,” said Stephanie Francoeur, senior vice president of Oceantic Network communications and external affairs.

Oceantic argued the new directives undermine the administration’s stated “all-of-the-above” energy policy and penalise domestic offshore wind—an emerging source of baseload power—while power bills are already rising.