Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is launching a department-wide review into the Biden administration’s alleged neglect of safety concerns regarding wind projects being constructed near transportation infrastructure.

Duffy said on Tuesday that former DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg ignored safety recommendations for dozens of wind projects near highways and railroads, despite concerns about turbines interfering with radio communications. 

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Duffy claimed that the Biden administration and Buttigieg overlooked safety concerns to invest billions in clean energy projects through the Inflation Reduction Act and prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.

“[Former President] Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg put climate religion ahead of safety – blatantly ignoring engineers who warned of the danger of constructing wind turbines near railroads and highways,” Duffy said in a press release. 

“That’s why I’m immediately implementing a higher standard of safety. What the past administration did is a shame, but it’s a pattern for Biden and Buttigieg. They invested over $80 billion on DEI and the Green New Deal while safety was ignored,” Duffy added. 

The department said that in 2023, the DOT found that Illinois’s Heritage Prairie Wind Energy Project, which fell within the 1-to-3-mile boundary of high-speed passenger and freight rail infrastructure, could be problematic for train communications in the area.

Then, in 2024, the DOT withdrew the recommendation, stating, “DOT continues to review and analyze the potential for harmful interference that might result from turbines placed within proximity of rail, highway, and other transportation infrastructure, and reserves the right to make setback
recommendations, or any other recommendation deemed necessary by the Department, on
future projects.”

In both recommendations, the Interdepartment Radio Advisory Committee said it did not identify any concerns regarding radio frequency blockage. 

The DOT said it uncovered 33 projects for which the previous administration rescinded the original safety recommendations. Duffy said the department will now recommend a minimum 1.2-mile setback for turbines built near highways and railroads. 

Along with the department-wide investigation, Duffy is also calling on Congress to review the matter.

TRUMP ENERGY DEPARTMENT CANCELS LOAN FOR MAJOR TRANSMISSION PROJECT OPPOSED BY HAWLEY

The decision comes as the Trump administration continues to criticize and hinder future wind projects from being developed. For instance, President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act phases out clean energy tax credits for wind and solar projects placed in service by the end of 2027.

Earlier this month, the administration also announced that wind and solar projects must get the approval of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Trump has argued that wind energy is unreliable and said wind turbines are ugly.