In his second inaugural address, President Donald Trump addressed our current energy challenges and solutions to bring down high prices. Trump is right; we face an energy emergency that threatens our national security. After four years of a failed energy policy, it’s clear that we need to redouble our efforts to produce traditional fuel, export more gas to our allies, and embrace the benefits of renewable energy to our grid. By taking this approach, America can quickly reclaim its position as the world’s energy leader.

The president quickly followed through on his efforts by issuing a series of positive executive orders surrounding fossil fuels. One of those EOs includes rolling back the natural gas export ban, perhaps the most foolish decision of the previous administration and broadly criticized by a bipartisan audience of national security experts and members of Congress. Another EO calls for federal agencies to explore ways to boost domestic energy supply. Both of these actions are commonsense policy decisions that will accelerate American energy dominance.

The goal of boosting our energy supply is laudable and achievable, but ironically, is in conflict with a separate EO he issued that same day. The competing EO freezes new onshore and offshore wind lease sales, meaning private sector developers cannot bid to construct major energy infrastructure projects. Moreover, the EO includes the potential for existing projects to have their federally approved permits revoked and their existing turbines removed. It’s an unprecedented move and one that likely will be considered in the courts.

All-in-all, Trump’s energy approach is two-steps forward, one-step back. We’ll always need fossil fuels for baseload power, but we shouldn’t simply write off wind without sound reasoning.

At its core, this EO hinders our ability to produce American energy. The halting of offshore and onshore leasing sales and the potential revoking of permits will be a setback in our ability to prioritize domestic energy. Wind has become a crucial portion of our national energy mix, now producing about 10% of our total energy generation — and steadily rising. At the same time, wind power is reliable, affordable, and domestically produced, meaning it fits within the president’s energy agenda.

It’s estimated that offshore wind in the United States has a potential generating capacity of 52,687 megawatts. Given that the U.S. has vast coastlines, wind is an abundant and inherently domestic resource that could help meet critical energy and economic challenges with a competitive advantage. For the U.S., our offshore wind resources are located in close proximity to major cities that produce some of the highest demands for power. Harnessing its power would reduce prices for homes and businesses.

As Trump has repeatedly emphasized himself, it is time to unleash American energy dominance in its entirety. The U.S. cannot afford to minimize or discriminate against any of the potential sources. We need more energy, no matter how it’s sourced, to meet our ever-growing needs.

While offshore wind may not be economically beneficial in some areas in the U.S., for places like the Gulf region, the Northeast, and the Pacific Northwest, the wind is both strong and reliable. In many ways, the stunting of offshore wind is much akin to former President Joe Biden’s blocking of liquefied natural gas exports, a decision I was firmly against. Like LNG, our offshore wind resources can help America become a leader in lowering emissions and offer an affordable, clean energy source for ourselves, our allies and emerging countries. These kinds of domestic energy resources can help strengthen our national security in a sustainable and responsible way – it’s time to use them.

As I wrote in 2023, 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.

As a retired soldier with over three decades of experience in service to this great nation, I can speak thoroughly to the fact that energy security is national security. Renewables are an important part of our energy mix as they allow for a diversified grid that does not rely solely on sources like diesel, natural gas, nuclear power or even solar.

Access to reliable, sustainable and affordable energy is key to America’s functioning economy, military and society. Our national resilience and geopolitical standing rely on it. Impeding American offshore wind capabilities counters the very goals Trump campaigned on and would create a hole in our energy arsenal that can be filled domestically.

James ‘Spider’ Marks, a retired U.S. Army major general, was the senior intelligence officer for the 2003 liberation of Iraq and the former commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center. He currently serves as the director of Geo-political Intelligence for Academy Securities, a New York-based veteran owned service disabled bank.