The Interior Secretary said he had directed the Maritime Energy Department to “stop all construction activities” for the wind project “until further review.”
Interior Secretary Doug Burgham said on April 16 that construction of a major wind project off the New York coast “until further review.”
The Secretary of the Interior has denounced the previous administration as “running” through approval without sufficient analysis. He did not provide details of the potential impairment identified.
“On the first day (President Donald Trump) is calling for a comprehensive review of federal wind projects and wind leases, and internally we are doing our part to ensure we follow these instructions,” Bulgham wrote in a follow-up post.
The Home Office did not respond to requests for comment at each publication time.
Norway-based company Equiner was supported by President Joe Biden, who is working to expand its renewable energy projects.
According to an Equinor spokesperson, the Department of Marine Energy Management (Boem), the internal division that allows offshore energy projects, has given the company a halt order.
“We will be involved directly with Bohem and the Ministry of Home Affairs to understand the questions raised about the permits received from the authorities,” Equiner said in a statement provided to the media outlet. “We won’t comment until we learn more about the potential outcomes.”
Equiners did not respond to requests for further comment at each publishing time.
Lutnick was involved in the decision as the Commerce Department houses the National Marine Fisheries Services, which are also involved in the permitted offshore wind facilities.
Bulgham’s decision follows Trump’s January order to consider all offshore wind power that will be permitted and leased on his first day in office in January.
After declaring a national energy emergency, the Trump administration speeded up environmental reviews and quickly tracked approvals for other energy projects.
Since Trump’s orders, the offshore wind industry has worked to align with the president’s energy agenda.
However, the group’s CEO, Jason Gourmet, criticized Bulgham’s decision to suspend the Imperial-style project on Wednesday.
“The surge in energy demand and rising consumer prices require streamlined permits for all domestic energy resources. Rethinking permits after the project is under construction sends a chilling signal to all energy investments.”
He urged the Trump administration to “quickly address the perceived inadequacy in previous permit approvals so that the project can complete construction and provide much needed power to the grid.
Located 12 nautical miles south of Long Island in New York, the lease area features two projects, which are expected to generate enough energy to supply 700,000 homes each year.
Empire Wind is expected to begin production of electricity in 2027, and is a key part of New York’s transition effort to renewable energy.
In response to the suspension, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said the project has already produced around 1,000 “good paying union jobs” and is contributing to the state’s economy.
“As governor, I will not allow this federal overreach. I will fight every step of this method to protect union employment, affordable energy, and New York’s economic future.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul will speak at a press conference on November 14th, 2024. Angelaweis/AFP via Getty Images
Critics of offshore wind power projects are concerned about their potential environmental impact.
But beyond the energy produced, offshore wind farms also have indirect benefits.
“Turbines can act as ‘artificial coral reefs’ and may increase biological productivity in the neighborhood,” the university’s Center for Environmental Sciences added. “The presence of hard structures can provide habitat for barnacles, sponges, and other invertebrates, and can locally increase fish abundance. These processes can attract predators on top of the food chain.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
