NOAA Expert Libby Jewett Retires Amid Turmoil from Trump's Offshore Wind Policy Changes
Libby Jewett, former director of NOAA's ocean acidification program, retired in April 2025 after more than 16 years of addressing climate change and transitioning to offshore wind energy permitting. Her retirement followed significant policy reversals by the Trump administration that halted NOAA's initiatives and led to major layoffs, raising concerns about the agency's capacity and expertise as nearly 2,000 employees have left since 2017. Despite these challenges, NOAA's ocean acidification program continues to operate, albeit under strained conditions.
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Libby Jewett, former director of NOAA's ocean acidification program, retired in April 2025 after over 16 years addressing climate change impacts and transitioning to solutions. In 2023, she moved to work on offshore wind energy permitting, but Trump's administration reversed progress on these projects, halting NOAA's initiatives and prompting significant layoffs.
Jewett's retirement followed executive orders withdrawing federal offshore areas from wind leasing and ending remote work arrangements, causing uncertainty for her position. Jewett's contributions included leading NOAA's ocean acidification research, which informed Congress and developed the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act in 2009.
Despite cuts to programs and staffing, NOAA's ocean acidification program continues, although it faces operational challenges. Jewett's departure reflects broader concerns over NOAA's capacity and expertise loss, with nearly 2,000 employees leaving since Trump's inauguration.
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