Justin Williams, Author at NOIA

NOIA Statement on Pause of Offshore Wind Construction Citing National Security Concerns

December 22, 2025 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Monday, December 22, 2025
NOIA Contact: media@nullnoia.org

NOIA Statement on Pause of Offshore Wind Construction Citing National Security Concerns

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement regarding the pausing of construction of offshore wind projects:

NOIA urges the administration to move promptly, in collaboration with the industry, to end the pause on construction of offshore wind projects for potential national security concerns. The regulatory process involves a rigorous framework for assessing the national security implications of proposed projects, and every project under construction has already undergone review by the Department of Defense with no objections. The process, as required by law, provides a timely, transparent, and repeatable process to evaluate potential impacts and mitigation options related to offshore energy compatibility. The Department of Defense coordinates at every stage of planning, permitting, and development.

As NOIA emphasized to the administration earlier this year, offshore wind improves our national security by shifting economic, infrastructure, and geopolitical advantages to the U.S. through increased shipbuilding, enhancements to our ports, greater energy security to power surging electricity demand, more manufacturing and good-paying jobs, additional business for the oil and gas supply chain, and collaborative opportunities for our military. In short, offshore wind helps the U.S. achieve its energy dominance goals.

America’s offshore energy industry has put thousands of Americans to work in high-paying jobs in the construction of offshore projects that will effectively meet burgeoning demand for power throughout the northeast. Companies with roots in the oil and gas sector have committed substantial capital to participate in the build-out of our offshore wind sector. We urge the administration to end this pause and to resist taking further action that may harm jobs and investment, as well as undermine our economic and geopolitical competition with China.

Retired Army General James “Spider” Marks, the senior intelligence officer for the 2003 liberation of Iraq and the former commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center, underscored the positive national security impacts of our offshore wind industry in relation to China:

America needs a strong offshore wind energy industry in order to compete with China. According to data from Statista, China currently operates 129 offshore wind farms — the most of any country — and much higher than the 4 wind farms operating here in the United States. By dwarfing our domestic energy projects, China is well positioned to withstand global supply shocks and power its military growth and modernization — which will only grow unless our country makes the necessary investments.

About NOIA
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public and our environment.

House Advances SPEED Act, Senate Engagement Now Critical

December 18, 2025 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Thursday, December 18, 2025
NOIA Contact: media@nullnoia.org

House Advances SPEED Act, Senate Engagement Now Critical

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act:

“Today’s House passage of the SPEED Act reflects growing bipartisan recognition that America’s permitting system needs modernization. Permitting certainty is essential to keeping investment, jobs, and energy production in the United States, and the House vote is an important step in that direction.

“At the same time, changes made to the legislation following its consideration in the House Natural Resources Committee warrant careful review. Permitting reform must avoid creating unintended consequences that undermine investment, delay projects, or reintroduce the very uncertainty the energy sector is seeking to resolve. We are concerned that, as currently written, these risks remain.

“Certainty in permitting delivers certainty in investment. Clear timelines and predictable processes allow companies to commit capital, hire workers, and plan long-term projects that support American energy security and affordability. When permitting becomes unpredictable or open-ended, projects stall, costs rise, and investment shifts overseas, at the expense of American workers and consumers.

“We appreciate the leadership of Representatives Golden and Stauber in continuing to advocate for permit certainty and Chairman Westerman’s continued commitment to improving the federal permitting framework. Their efforts underscore the shared goal of building a more accountable, efficient system that supports domestic energy production and economic growth.

“As the Senate takes up this legislation, it is essential that Congress work collaboratively to deliver the strongest possible permitting reform, one that provides real certainty, avoids unintended consequences, and supports investment across the full spectrum of America’s energy economy. A durable, effective permitting framework is foundational to the nation’s economic strength, global competitiveness, and energy dominance.”

Gulf of America Lease Sale Big Beautiful Gulf 1 Reopens the Gulf of America

December 10, 2025 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
NOIA Contact: jwilliams@nullnoia.org

Gulf of America Lease Sale Big Beautiful Gulf 1 Reopens the Gulf of America

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the Department of the Interior concluded the Big Beautiful Gulf 1 offshore oil and gas lease sale:

The door has reopened to the Gulf of America. After two long years without lease sales, Gulf of America Lease Sale “Big Beautiful Gulf 1” is a milestone for America’s energy future. Lease sales are foundational to U.S. energy production and remain one of the most important tools to attract investment, support jobs in all 50 states, and build American energy dominance. We applaud President Trump, Secretary Burgum, and Congress for prioritizing the timely resumption of Gulf of America leasing.

Continued leasing gives companies the resources they need to explore, develop, and produce responsibly. These sales drive economic growth, support cutting-edge technology, and provide a fair return to taxpayers. Barrels of oil produced in the Gulf of America have a much lower carbon intensity than foreign imports. American energy keeps our allies supplied and our nation stronger.

Leasing is one of the tools to achieve energy dominance, and it is a critical one: the more leases offered, the higher the likelihood of commercially viable discoveries that keep investment dollars in the U.S. and strengthen our global leadership.

A predictable, steady cadence of lease sales is essential to sustaining American energy dominance and supporting Gulf Coast communities. The world is stronger, safer, and more secure with American energy dominance.

NOIA Statement on Offshore Wind Executive Order Ruling

December 9, 2025 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Monday, December 8, 2025
NOIA Contact: jwilliams@nullnoia.org

NOIA Statement on Offshore Wind Executive Order Ruling

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after Judge Patti Saris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a ruling striking down the Executive Order titled “Temporary Withdrawal of All Areas on the Outer Continental Shelf From Offshore Wind Leasing and Review of the Federal Government’s Leasing and Permitting Practices for Wind Projects.” The court found the order unlawful and vacated it in full.

Whether it is an oil and gas project or an offshore wind project, the investment community needs certainty and predictability to ensure long-term viability. The supply chain for offshore wind includes many traditional oil and gas contractors located in places like the Gulf Coast, where these projects become additive to their overall business proposition. Offshore wind remains a significant opportunity for U.S. energy, jobs, and industrial growth. The sector supports high-paying careers, revitalizes American shipbuilding, strengthens domestic manufacturing, and expands reliable energy to meet growing demand from AI, data centers, and critical infrastructure.

"We need all forms of energy, including oil and gas, wind, and emerging technologies. We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress on durable energy policy that attracts investment to the U.S.

About NOIA
The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) represents and advances a dynamic and growing offshore energy industry, providing solutions that support communities and protect our workers, the public and our environment.

NOIA Applauds Committee Action on SPEED Act, Calls for Strong Offshore Permitting Certainty

November 20, 2025 by Justin Williams

For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 20, 2025
NOIA Contact: jwilliams@nullnoia.org

NOIA Applauds Committee Action on SPEED Act, Calls for Strong Offshore Permitting Certainty

Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Erik Milito issued the following statement after the House Natural Resources Committee held its markup of the bipartisan Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act:

"By advancing the bipartisan SPEED Act, the House Natural Resources Committee is taking an important step toward real permitting certainty. We especially thank Representatives Golden and Stauber for their leadership on the permitting certainty amendment, and Chairman Westerman for his ongoing commitment to strengthening America’s permitting framework.

"For offshore energy, permitting certainty leads to investment certainty. Clear deadlines, transparent processes, and protections that help avoid needless vacatur of project approvals over minor procedural issues will unlock the long-term investments America needs in offshore oil and gas, wind, critical minerals, and emerging technologies. If permitting is unpredictable or open-ended, projects stall, costs rise, and investment goes elsewhere.

“Offshore energy companies are ready to invest at scale, supporting jobs, strengthening U.S. energy security, and building the infrastructure of a 21st-century, energy dominant America. We look forward to working with Congress as the SPEED Act moves forward to make permitting certainty a cornerstone of America’s energy and economic future.”