Federal Officials Withdraw Environmental Permit for New Jersey Offshore Wind Farm
Recently, federal officials successfully withdrew an environmental permit granted by the Biden administration for the proposed Atlantic Shores offshore wind farm in New Jersey. This marks a significant setback for the project, which had already faced numerous challenges.
The Atlantic Shores project, a joint venture between Shell and EDF Renewables, had received federal permitting, including approval of its Construction and Operations Plan in October 2024. The project aimed to have a total capacity of 2.8 GW with a two-phase development plan, potentially becoming New Jersey’s first offshore wind farm.
Former President Donald Trump had singled out the Atlantic Shores project during his presidential campaign, expressing his opposition to the offshore wind industry. In February 2025, Trump’s Executive Orders prompted the Environmental Protection Agency to file a motion to review the project’s approval.
Environmental Appeals Court Judge Mary Kay Lynch granted the motion to remand the 2024 approval, citing the need for further review based on Trump’s Executive Orders. Local opponents of the project had raised concerns about the EPA air quality filing procedures and alleged discrepancies in the air quality modeling for the project’s permit.
Following the decision to withdraw the permit, Atlantic Shores expressed disappointment, emphasizing the importance of regulatory certainty for major energy projects. The project had already faced challenges, with Shell distancing itself from offshore wind energy investments and struggling to secure power agreements in New Jersey’s wind solicitation rounds.
Local opponents celebrated the decision to withdraw the permit and have urged the Interior Department and NOAA to reconsider approvals granted during the Biden administration. The American Clean Power Association warned that canceling project permits for political reasons could deter investment in U.S. infrastructure.
While the Biden administration had approved several offshore wind projects before the permit withdrawal, concerns remain about potential delays and obstacles under the Trump administration. The industry is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the progress of approved projects and future developments.