The US government has halted construction on the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project off the coast of Long Island, citing concerns that the Biden administration may have rushed through its approval without sufficient analysis. The project, which aimed to power 500,000 homes and create over 1,500 jobs, was granted a lease in 2017 but has been plagued by opposition from the Trump administration.
The stop-work order could have significant implications for New York’s climate goals and green job opportunities. The state aims to generate 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, but recent delays and cancellations of projects suggest that this target may be at risk.
Environmental advocates and labor unions are concerned about the impact on low-income communities, which have already suffered disproportionately from pollution and lack access to green job opportunities. The Empire Wind project was seen as a key initiative to bring jobs and economic growth to these areas.
“We need to redouble our efforts at the state level to get new generation projects off the ground,” said Alexander Patterson, campaign coordinator for Public Power NY. “This is just another example of how political headwinds can delay our progress towards cleaner energy.”
The halt on construction could lead to further delays and uncertainty in New York’s energy transition, affecting not only the offshore wind industry but also other regions.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/18/trump-new-york-wind-farm-cancellaction