麻豆传媒

Washington, D.C. January听29, 2026听鈥斕鼵ancelling听five major offshore wind projects听could raise electricity costs听for customers on the east coast by an estimated听$45 billion听over the next decade, according to a new analysis from the 麻豆传媒 Association (ACP).听As demand soars across the nation, the five projects together would provide听nearly 6GW听of power for the region and power听over 2.5 million homes.听听

On December 22, the U.S. Department of the Interior issued a stop-work order for five offshore wind projects. These projects that serve regions within the PJM, NYISO, and ISO-New England power markets are already under construction 鈥� most are over 70% completed 鈥� and have undergone years of review by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of the Interior, the Department of War, and other federal offices.听听

鈥淚t鈥檚听a simple supply and demand equation at this point. The demand for energy is increasing, and we need all forms of energy to meet this demand听鈥斕齣ncluding offshore wind听鈥斕齩r customers will end up paying for it,鈥� said听John Hensley, Senior Vice President of Markets and Policy Analysis at ACP. 鈥淭hese projects lower electricity costs. Delaying or cancelling them puts reliability at risk and forces families and businesses to pay听more鈥攑lain听and simple.鈥�听

In its analysis, ACP evaluated the impact of removing the five offshore wind projects from the system. The results were then translated into expected retail electricity rates across听15 states and Washington, D.C.

The findings show that without these offshore wind resources:听

• Wholesale electricity prices听would听rise significantly during evening peaks听and听winter hours 鈥撎齣ncluding intense winter storms like Fern听

• Power systems would听rely more heavily on听non-renewable sources and leave customers more exposed to price听volatility听

• Grids would听lose access to low-cost, winter-peaking clean energy that helps stabilize prices during periods of high demand听

At peak times, electricity prices are set by the most expensive power plant needed to meet demand. Offshore wind reduces reliance on those high-cost plants, replacing them with steady, lower-cost power that helps stabilize prices.听

鈥淭he suspension of these projects听will raise听electricity bills for families and businesses along the East Coast,鈥澨�Hensley听added. 鈥淭he cost of inaction听could听be felt in monthly utility bills for years to come.鈥�听

ACP urges policymakers to consider the significant consumer cost impacts of delaying offshore wind development and to work toward solutions that protect national security while ensuring affordable, reliable electricity for the region.听