A nearly complete offshore wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island and Connecticut faces an uncertain future after the Trump administration halted construction. The states’ Democratic governors, lawmakers, and union workers are calling on President Trump to reverse his decision.
The project, Revolution Wind, is 80% complete with all underwater foundations and 45 out of 65 turbines installed. However, the Trump administration claims that the federal government needs to review the project due to national security concerns.
Democratic officials say this halt will not only harm Rhode Island’s climate goals but also drive up electricity prices in the region. The developer, Orsted, is considering legal proceedings and evaluating the financial impact of stopping construction.
“Trump just fired 1,000 of our members who were working on the project,” said Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. “We’re going to fight you every step of the way no matter how long it takes.”
The project’s cancellation has sparked criticism from state leaders and union workers. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island disputed the administration’s rationale, saying it was not about national security but rather President Trump’s concerns.
Revolution Wind is expected to power over 350,000 homes with renewable energy, at a rate of 9.8 cents per kilowatt hour for 20 years. The project site is located in the ocean between Rhode Island and Connecticut, and its cancellation could have significant economic and environmental implications.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-renewable-energy-offshore-wind-farm-c1faf852d2960473b8f96b14321f6832