Interior bolsters offshore wind by revoking Trump-era legal opinion | TheHill – The Hill

The Interior Department on Friday bolstered offshore wind energy by revoking a legal opinion issued during the Trump administration that gave more weight to fishing concerns about that kind of energy development.

Robert Anderson, the Interior Departments principal deputy solicitor, issued an opinion that reversed the Trump-era solicitor Daniel Jorjanis December opinion that the department should err on the side of less interference rather than more interference in fishing when it comes to offshore wind activities

Anderson, in his new legal opinion, said instead that the Interior secretary should seek to strike a rational balance between various interests.

At issue is a section of the law that aims for "prevention of interference with reasonable uses" of the ocean.

Jorjani's interpretation followedanother memo that similarly interpreted the same section of the law.

Jorjani argued that this memo's interpretation of the law was too narrow and only preventing interference with the legal right to fish.

But Anderson argued that Jorjanis opinion failed to note that the law also says that the interference with reasonable uses is followed by the phrase (as determined by the Secretary), which he argued gives the secretary discretion to decide.

The difference in opinions comes as the Biden administration seeks to boost renewable energy as part of its transition to net-zero emissions. The Interior Department has recently moved closer to approving a major offshore wind project.

President BidenJoe BidenBiden eyes bigger US role in global vaccination efforts Trump says GOP will take White House in 2024 in prepared speech Kemp: Pulling All-Star game out of Atlanta will hurt business owners of color MORE recently said hell nominated Anderson to be Interiors top lawyer.

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Interior bolsters offshore wind by revoking Trump-era legal opinion | TheHill - The Hill