Chronology of Trump's Unsuccessful Strategy to Sabotage Empire Wind
After a temporary halt, construction on Empire Wind 1, New York state's largest offshore wind project in half a century, is set to resume. The project, developed by Equinor, will be the nation's first offshore wind farm to begin at-sea construction since President Donald Trump took office in January.
The construction halt was ordered by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum due to concerns about rushed approvals. These concerns were heightened by the Trump administration's initiation of a federal review of offshore wind activities during the Biden administration, which paused all new offshore wind permitting and leasing on January 20.
However, on Monday evening, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), a branch of the Interior Department, sent Equinor a three-sentence letter stating that the review is 'ongoing' but that the construction halt is officially lifted. The letter also mentioned that the stop-work order was based on feedback from NOAA about Empire Wind's environmental impact and that the branch needed time to 'address' the information.
The wind farm, when complete, will feature 54 turbines capable of producing 810 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 500,000 homes. It will also be the first offshore wind project to feed directly into New York City's power grid.
The resumption of construction comes amidst controversy, with anti-offshore wind groups and some political figures, such as U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican and longtime offshore wind opponent, pushing for the project to be stopped. Smith raised concerns about potential negative impacts on military radar and the project's ability to withstand hurricanes, among other unsubstantiated claims.
Despite these objections, nine projects, including Empire Wind, that already have federal permits in hand appear safe to proceed. An Equinor-run Listserv catering to boat captains and local residents posted a notice that underwater 'rock installation' around the sites of Empire Wind's future turbine bases would begin in April.
The future of Empire Wind 1 remains a topic of debate, with some environmental advocates expressing concern over potential deals that may have been struck behind the scenes. On Monday evening, Burgum thanked New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in a social media post, raising alarm among these advocates that a potential deal had been reached to build a fossil-gas pipeline in the state in exchange for Empire Wind moving forward. However, these allegations remain unconfirmed.
As the construction of Empire Wind 1 resumes, it will be interesting to see how the project progresses and whether any further obstacles arise. Stay tuned for updates on this developing news.
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