The Trump administration announced a pause on leases for five offshore wind farms under construction along the East Coast, escalating opposition to offshore wind power.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum cited unspecified national security concerns, referencing vulnerabilities posed by large-scale wind projects near major population centers.
The big picture: The halted projects include Vineyard Wind 1 (Massachusetts), Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (Virginia), Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind (New York), and Revolution Wind (Rhode Island and Connecticut).
- These five projects had already been vetted and approved by the previous Biden administration, with some – such as Vineyard Wind 1 – partially operational and supplying power.
Driving the news: The Interior Department referenced classified Pentagon reports and an Energy Department analysis, highlighting risks such as interference with radar systems.
- The Trump administration has taken aggressive steps against offshore wind, including a sweeping executive order ending leasing of federal land and waters for new projects on his first day of his second term.
- The Biden administration previously granted permits, and billions of dollars have already been invested in the affected projects.
