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Tonko Reintroduces Sweeping Offshore Wind Bill

Amidst administration attacks on offshore wind development, Tonko’s bill would provide needed leasing and permitting certainty to support clean energy future

Washington, June 4, 2025
  • hudson waterway
WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Congressman Paul D. Tonko (D-NY) today reintroduced the Offshore Energy Modernization Act, legislation that provides a comprehensive blueprint to ensure the long-term viability and success of U.S. offshore wind development.
This introduction comes amidst an onslaught of attacks from the Trump administration on wind energy development. On day one, President Trump issued an executive order blocking all new approvals, permits, and funding for wind energy, both on and offshore — potentially putting thousands of jobs and billions in industry investments on the chopping block.
“Despite President Trump’s best efforts to tank clean energy development, offshore wind remains a massive boon and opportunity, not only for coastal regions, but across the nation — including New York’s Capital Region — in the form of good paying jobs, increased manufacturing, and development of critical components,” Congressman Tonko said. “Republicans are waking up to the benefits that wind energy presents. Robust federal leadership is needed to support long-term and responsible offshore wind development, support domestic supply chain, and drive American energy dominance. My Offshore Energy Modernization Act is the solution. I urge my colleagues join me in supporting this legislation to ensure we unlock the full potential of American offshore wind energy production and deployment.”
The Offshore Energy Modernization Act of 2025 is the first comprehensive federal legislation to support long-term and responsible offshore wind development in the United States. This bill: 
  • Reforms the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to better reflect the realities of offshore wind development and provide long-term certainty for this emerging industry. 
  • Facilitates timely and efficient permitting of offshore renewable energy projects by providing funding for early, frequent, and robust community engagement, including Tribal consultation. 
  • Ensures that offshore renewable energy projects support good-paying, union jobs and a reliable, domestic supply chain. 
  • Invests in marine and coastal habitat protection and compensates fishing interests that have been impacted by offshore wind development. 
  • Establishes the Offshore Power Administration to provide Federal assistance to advance shared offshore transmission infrastructure. 
  • Creates new Department of Energy grant and loan guarantee opportunities to support U.S. shipbuilding needed to construct offshore wind projects. 
A fact-sheet of the Offshore Energy Modernization Act can be found HERE.
A section-by-section summary can be found HERE.

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