While Trump by executive order on his inauguration day halted all new federal permits for offshore wind projects, supporters of wind energy believed that projects already permitted could continue to move forward.
Last week, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum punctured that hope by ordering a halt to a major wind energy project which is fully permitted and well under construction. Burgum’s target was the Empire Wind 1 project being developed off the coast of New York.
According to an April 16 post on social media, Burgum ordered staff to “immediately halt all construction activities on the Empire Wind Project until further review of information that suggests the Biden administration rushed through its approval without sufficient analysis.” Burgum provided no details to support this conclusion.
On completion, the Empire Wind 1 project is to provide 810 megawatts of electricity, enough to power a half-million homes. This energy is an essential part of meeting New York’s state goal of producing 70% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. “As Governor, I will not allow this federal overreach to stand,” responded New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “I will fight this every step of the way to protect union jobs, affordable energy and New York’s economic future.”
“Halting construction of fully permitted energy projects is the literal opposite of an energy abundance agenda…Doubling back to reconsider permits after projects are under construction sends a chilling signal to all energy investment,” said American Clean Power Association CEO Jason Grumet. “We encourage the Administration to quickly address perceived inadequacies in the prior permit approvals so that this project can complete construction and bring much needed power to the grid. At the end of the day, reliable energy systems depend on reliable political systems.”
The Fastest, Least Expensive Way to Provide More Energy
“President Trump and his administration continue to base their decisions off conspiracy theories and ridiculous claims that are hurting everyday people,” said David Shadburn, Legislative Director at the League of Conservation Voters. “Clean energy projects, like Empire Wind 1, are the fastest, least expensive way to get more energy onto the grid. Halting this project will do nothing other than raise energy prices for working families and threaten thousands of good construction jobs. If the government cannot be trusted to keep its word honoring permits after thorough environmental reviews, it will have a chilling effect not just against clean energy but the entire business sector. The absolute last thing the country needs is a ban on clean affordable energy.”
