The US government has stopped construction on a major offshore wind project in New York, the latest move by President Donald Trump’s administration to target renewable energy. The Empire Wind project, built by Norwegian company Equinor, aims to power over 500,000 homes and start providing electricity in 2026.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to halt construction due to concerns that the Biden administration rushed the approval process. Trump’s administration has been hostile to renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, since taking office.
This decision is part of a broader effort by the US government to review all existing and pending offshore wind permits. The move has sparked criticism from climate advocates, who argue that it sends a “chilling signal” to energy companies and hinders the country’s transition to clean energy sources.
Equinor said it will engage directly with BOEM and the Interior Department to understand the questions raised about the project. Climate Jobs New York, a coalition of labor unions, called the decision “out of touch” with the needs of working New Yorkers struggling with rising energy costs and grid instability.
The US is unable to achieve energy independence without offshore wind, according to climate advocates. The Biden administration had set national goals to deploy offshore wind as a solution to climate change, but Trump’s actions seem to be reversing this progress.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/wind-energy-offshore-turbines-trump-empire-wind-58ebb61bbfbdb3dc1e9b7c51692f042c