In brief
In a surprising move, the Trump administration announced a pause on five large-scale offshore wind projects along the East Coast, including Vineyard Wind in Massachusetts and Revolution Wind in Rhode Island. The decision comes after national security risks were identified by the Pentagon, leading to concerns about radar interference caused by the massive turbine blades. This action follows a recent court ruling that deemed a previous executive order obstructing wind energy unlawful. The Interior Department will now work with the Defense Department to evaluate the risks and propose mitigation strategies.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration said Monday it is pausing leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction in the East Coast due to unspecified national security risks identified by the Pentagon. The pause is effective immediately and will give the Interior Department, which oversees offshore wind, time to work with the Defense Department and other agencies to assess the possible ways to mitigate any security risks posed by the projects, the administration said.“The prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. “Today’s action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies, and the vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers.”The leases affected include Vineyard Wind in Massachusetts, Revolution Wind in Rhode Island and Connecticut, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, and two projects in New York: Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind.The Interior Department highlighted that unclassified reports have long identified radar interference as a concern, with large turbines creating “clutter” that obscures legitimate moving targets. This decision follows a federal judge's ruling that struck down a previous executive order blocking wind energy projects, declaring it arbitrary and unlawful. Environmental advocates worry that this pause may delay efforts to transition towards renewable energy sources.
