House Speaker Mike Johnson is throwing a curveball by backing a massive wind energy project off Virginia Beach, even as the Trump administration slams the brakes on similar ventures.
E&E News reported that Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, is advocating for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, the largest planned offshore wind endeavor in the nation, despite fierce opposition from President Trump and his team, who have halted comparable initiatives.
This isn’t just a pet project; it’s nearly 80% complete, with 161 of 176 foundational monopiles already in place and turbine installation on the horizon.
Led by Dominion Energy, CVOW has two pilot turbines—permitted during Trump’s first term—already feeding electricity into the grid. It’s a big deal for Virginia, especially with a $500 million power grid upgrade tied to a naval air station through a public-private partnership.
Johnson confirmed to reporters he’s been in talks with Trump’s team, saying, “I understand the priority for Virginians.” Well, that’s a diplomatic way to tiptoe around a party line—Trump has been crystal clear with posts like, “Any Country that relies on Windmills is DEAD.” Hard to argue with that kind of gusto, but Johnson seems determined to carve out an exception here.
The project’s importance hit home when Rep. Jen Kiggans, a Republican from Virginia Beach’s competitive district, approached Johnson on the House floor after the August recess.
She stressed the naval ties, noting, “The project is important to Virginia.” That’s not just local pride—it’s strategic, and Johnson appears to be listening.
Meanwhile, CVOW is mere months from powering Virginia’s grid, which is straining under record demand growth from data centers.
Dominion Energy points out that contracts for all components are locked in, and Virginia customers will foot the bill whether the project finishes or not. Sounds like a classic case of “too far gone to turn back now.”
On the other side of the ring, the Trump administration isn’t mincing words or actions against wind energy. They’ve halted projects like Revolution Wind off Rhode Island and issued a stop-work order for Empire Wind in New York, though that was later lifted after apparent negotiations.
Just last week, they axed a nearly $40 million grant for a Virginia-based logistics plant supporting CVOW—talk about a direct hit. Trump himself has been vocal, declaring at a recent Cabinet meeting, “We’re not allowing any windmills to go up.”
That’s a bold red line, and his social media rants about windmills “killing” bad politicians and ruining countries don’t leave much room for nuance. Yet, Johnson’s support suggests not all Republicans are ready to ditch renewables entirely.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright didn’t hold back either, dismissing wind’s grid value as “almost zero” during demand surges. That’s a stinging critique, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s order to end “special treatment” for wind only piles on. Still, with CVOW so close to completion, these broadsides might be too little, too late for Virginia.
For Kiggans, this isn’t just about energy—it’s about jobs and national security. She’s been working the phones with the National Energy Dominance Council and Virginia’s Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin to keep the project on track. With a naval base in the mix, the stakes feel bigger than just a few turbines.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, however, sees it differently, blasting wind projects as “wasteful” and a distraction from maritime industry needs.
He argued that transportation funds were misused for a “Green New Scam agenda.” It’s a fair jab at progressive priorities, but Virginia ratepayers who’ve already paid up might beg to differ.
Sen. Tim Kaine, a Virginia Democrat, fired back on social media, claiming Trump is “hurting Virginia jobs” and hiking energy costs. That’s the predictable partisan spin, but when customers are on the hook for costs either way, it’s hard to ignore the practical fallout of stopping now.
Johnson’s position is a tightrope walk—most House Republicans, including himself, have historically toed Trump’s energy dominance line, voting for bills that slash wind and solar tax credits.
His own pledge to eradicate what he calls the “Green New Scam” makes this wind farm endorsement all the more eyebrow-raising. Is this a crack in the party armor or just pragmatic politics?
A growing number of Republicans are warming to renewables, though few dare to openly defy Trump on hot-button issues. Kiggans, facing a tough district, might be the push Johnson needs to bend here. It’s less about hugging trees and more about not alienating constituents who see real benefits.