NORFOLK, Va. — The Trump administration announced it is withdrawing over $39 million in funds meant for a Norfolk facility that, once finished, will support offshore wind projects.
The announcement, made on the Department of Transportation's (DOT) website on Friday, notes withdrawn or terminated funding for several of what it called "doomed offshore wind" projects at various sites across the U.S., totaling nearly $700 million.
The funding was awarded to projects by DOT under former President Joe Biden's administration.
Watch related: Dominion offers up-close look at progress of offshore wind project
Fairwinds Landing is hoping officials will reverse their decision to pull the funding, according to a company spokesperson. They've submitted a "revised project" to the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) — an agency within the Department of Transportation. The full statement Fairwinds Landing shared with News 3 is as follows:
“We will be requesting the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) to reconsider its withdrawal of the Fairwinds project from the Port Infrastructure Development Program. Our revised project, which we recently submitted to MARAD in response to their request, will help restore America’s maritime dominance and focuses on rebuilding America’s shipbuilding and maritime industrial base in line with MARAD’s current priorities. We look forward to working with MARAD to utilize the PIDP funds at Fairwinds to address critical port upgrades that support the Nation’s maritime goals.”
The city of Norfolk, who jointly applied for the funding with Fairwinds Landing, also confirmed the recently-submitted project revision.
"Fairwinds Landing will be requesting that the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) reconsider its withdrawal of the Fairwinds project from the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).
"Our revised project scope of work, which was submitted to MARAD in mid-August in response to their request, will help restore America’s maritime dominance by focusing on rebuilding America’s shipbuilding and maritime industrial base in line with MARAD’s current priorities. We look forward to working with MARAD to utilize the PIDP funds at Fairwinds to address critical port upgrades that support its goals.
"Furthermore, the Economic Development Authority of the City of Norfolk (EDA) have expressed support for Fairwinds Landing’s request for reconsideration. They recognize that planned PIDP project components will positively impact the local, regional and state economy as well as support the US Navy’s critical shipbuilding needs."
Fairwinds Landing, located on the eastern bank of the Elizabeth River, describes itself as a company "established to develop and operate Lambert’s Point Docks."
Following renovations, the facility will provide services to companies in the offshore wind, shipbuilding and transportation industries, according to Virginia Beach-based developer The Miller Group. This includes "enhancing port capabilities for offshore wind operations and maintenance activities, heavy lift operations, and cable-loading operations."
Fairwinds Landing says the now-withdrawn federal funding was for work on waterfront improvements throughout the entire property. This includes renovating or constructing quayside bulkheads and dredging.
One of Fairwinds Landing's projects is an offshore wind monitoring and coordination center, which the company says does not involve grant funding. The center, which is nearing completion, is intended to support logistics for Dominion Energy's sprawling wind project off the Virginia Beach coast.
DOT Secretary Sean Duffy said the cuts are aimed at preventing waste and reinvesting in "America's maritime dominance."
“Wasteful, wind projects are using resources that could otherwise go towards revitalizing America’s maritime industry,” Duffy said in a statement. “Thanks to President Trump, we are prioritizing real infrastructure improvements over fantasy wind projects that cost much and offer little.”
Watch related: Ground broken for offshore wind monitoring center in Norfolk
Virginia gubernatorial candidate and former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, released a statement Wednesday saying the move will hurt Virginia, calling it part of the Trump administration's "sledgehammer approach to governing."
"Not only is the Fairwinds Landing project set up to support Virginia’s nation-leading offshore wind industry, but also to create hundreds of new jobs and bring economic growth to Hampton Roads and communities across Coastal Virginia," Spanberger said.
Immediately after taking office in his second term, President Trump issued an executive order that temporarily halted new leases on wind energy projects, and called for a comprehensive review of existing projects.
“We have more oil and gas than any country in the world, and we’re going to use it," Trump said at the time. "We’re not going to do the wind thing.”
