Offshore wind moratorium and tariffs draw criticism as harmful to manufacturing, projects and prices
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Summary
Members and witnesses criticized administration actions that paused offshore wind approvals and threatened tariffs on Canadian and Mexican energy inputs, saying those steps create uncertainty, risk manufacturing investments and could raise consumer prices.
Several members criticized the early administration actions that pause offshore wind approvals and the pending trade measures that would impose broad tariffs on Canadian and Mexican energy and equipment.
A member from California said it was “a little difficult to take this hearing seriously” while federal funding and projects were being abruptly frozen and offshore wind paused. She described the pending moratorium as jeopardizing factory investments and jobs in her state.
Tyler O'Connor warned tariffs would raise costs: “They'd increase costs in several respects ... I think I've seen studies that would increase gas prices by 3 to 4%.” He said tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports of crude and grid components would push up prices for consumers and exacerbate shortages of critical grid hardware. Several members said that unilateral pauses on approvals and abrupt tariff threats undermine investor confidence and may delay projects and job creation.
Witnesses urged a consistent permitting and trade approach to protect manufacturing investments made to support offshore wind and other energy industries; the committee did not adopt any sanctions or tariff legislation during the hearing.