Trump Administration Resumes Construction on Major New York Offshore Wind Farm

The Trump administration has reignited progress on the Empire Wind 1 project, marking a key moment for renewable energy in New York after a controversial pause.

Key Points

The Trump administration reversed a stop-work order on the Empire Wind 1 project, New York’s largest offshore wind farm.
The Empire Wind 1 project is led by Norwegian company Equinor.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum halted the project on April 16 due to “flawed science” claims, which lacked supporting data.
NOAA Fisheries confirmed there is no scientific evidence linking whale deaths to offshore wind activities.
The halt caused Equinor to lose approximately $50 million per week.

The Resumed Construction

The Trump administration’s decision to reverse a stop-work order has paved the way for the construction of the Empire Wind 1 project to resume. This offshore wind farm, set to be New York’s largest, is spearheaded by Norwegian company Equinor. The project was abruptly halted on April 16 by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who cited claims of “flawed science.” However, these claims lacked supportive data, according to available reports.

The reversal of the stop-work order was officially announced on May 19. This development is critical as it promises to bolster New York’s renewable energy infrastructure, potentially addressing the looming energy shortages forecasted for New York City and Long Island, as detailed in various energy reports. The Empire Wind 1 project’s continuation is integral to New York’s ambitious 2040 zero-emissions mandate.

Implications for Jobs and Economy

Equinor’s halting of the project brought significant financial distress, costing the company approximately $50 million per week. This cessation also endangered 1,500 union jobs and risked delaying power availability for 500,000 homes. The resume order came after successful advocacy from Governor Kathy Hochul and Norwegian officials.

“I fought to save clean energy jobs in New York — and we got it done.” – Governor Kathy Hochul

Equinor’s CEO, Anders Opedal, expressed gratitude, emphasizing the resumed construction’s importance for the company’s objectives. The company’s plans involve reassessing the project’s economic outlook and addressing delays by collaborating with regulators.

Addressing Environmental Concerns

The pause in the project raised environmental concerns, particularly about the impact on marine life. However, NOAA Fisheries established that whale fatalities are primarily due to vessel strikes and fishing gear entanglement, and not linked to wind farm activities.

“There is no scientific evidence linking large whale deaths to ongoing offshore wind activities.” – NOAA Fisheries

This clarification aligns with the administration’s decision to resume the project, positioning offshore wind as a sustainable energy alternative. Looking forward, Equinor aims to meet key installation milestones by 2025, striving for the Empire Wind 1 project to be fully operational by 2027.