Let's talk about Trump causing more economic damage just in time for Christmas.... - Belle of the Ranch

[TexasTowelie]

Well, howdy there Internet people. It's Belle again. So, today we're going to talk about Trump causing more economic damage just in time for Christmas.

Shortly before Christmas, Trump issued an order to shut down construction on a number of offshore wind farms. Trump's Christmas gift to American families is stopping construction on projects that would provide 6 gigawatts of power. A move that is certain to keep energy prices rising. One of the sites in question is reportedly already providing enough cheap, clean electricity to power 400,000 homes in Massachusetts.

According to industry insiders, the financial impact is measured in billions with stalled investments. The number of threatened jobs is measured in the thousands. The decision has political implications as well. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico said they were walking away from talks over permitting reform because of Trump's attacks on energy independence and workers, saying, "The illegal attacks on fully permitted renewable energy projects must be revised if there is to be any chance that permitting talks resume. There is no path to permitting reform if this administration refuses to follow the law.”

The administration cited vague national security concerns that frankly very few are even pretending they're buying and the president of Oceanic Network said that DoD “signed off on every offshore wind lease ahead of construction.”

That opinion was shared by Kirk Lipold who said, "The record of decisions all show that the Department of Defense was consulted at every stage of the permitting process." He also noted that the Air Force and Naval Undersea Warfare Center was involved in the reviews. If you're wondering why that name sounds familiar, he was the commander of the USS Cole when it was hit. He knows a wee bit about this subject.

One of the reasons for the massive amount of skepticism of Trump's national security claims is the bizarre timing. Trump's magically discovered national security concerns came to light after Judge Patti Saris of the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts toss the entirety of Trump's January 20th executive order against wind power. The judge said the order was arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law. The timing leads many people to believe that this is just an excuse to pause the construction so the administration can continue to prop up dirty, obsolete, more expensive tech for friends of the administration.

Regardless of the reason, the message for thousands of American workers just before Christmas is that the administration is actively working to destroy their livelihood. And they'll apparently keep finding reasons to try to get you fired. And the appearances that your job working to bring Americans clean, cheap energy isn't as important as Trump's personal feelings about offshore wind.

And every American across the country should understand that every time Trump finds an excuse to cut a renewable energy project, it's a choice that will raise your electric bill. Because right now our grid needs every single megawatt and Trump's out there emotionally cancelling gigawatts at a time.

Anyway, it's just a thought. Y'all have a good day.