Another Offshore Wind Project Canceled on Biden’s Watch

Joe Biden has a very aggressive renewable energy agenda, and wind energy is going to play a major role in that.

In early November, Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 were canceled, which was a crushing blow to Biden’s agenda and the state of New Jersey.

Now, Biden was hit with another cancelation, this time with Empire 2 being canceled by energy developers Equinor and BP.

Blame Bidenomics

Joe Biden and Democrats are trying to pound the idea that Bidenomics is working.

However, when the Ocean Wind projects were canceled, inflation, interest, and supply chain issues were cited as the main reasons for the cancelation.

Equinor and BP just used the same reasoning to pull the plug on Empire 2, which was slated to generate about 60 percent of the entire project (together, they were going to generate 2076 megawatts, enough to power 700,000 homes).

When the project was announced on November 21, 2023, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland stated, “Bidenomics and the President’s Investing in America agenda are growing the American economy from the middle out and bottom up."

Equinor and BP, however, do not seem to agree, saying the project is no longer viable in today’s economy.

Molly Morris, president of Equinor Renewables Americas, stated, "Commercial viability is fundamental for ambitious projects of this size and scale. The Empire Wind 2 decision provides the opportunity to reset and develop a stronger and more robust project going forward. We will continue to closely engage our many community partners across the state."

Joshua Weinstein, BP’s president of offshore wind Americas, stated, "BP is supportive of NYSERDA’s leadership and commitment to offshore wind, which we believe is a critical part of New York State’s and America’s clean energy future. Offshore wind can deliver reliable renewable power as well as economic benefits to the state and its communities."

Without these projects, it looks like Biden’s war on fossil fuels may have to be put off just a bit longer, as there is simply no way he will meet his renewable energy goals after losing these two massive offshore wind projects.