Wind turbines operate in July at the Vineyard Wind 1 offshore wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
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Carolyn Kaster/AP
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced on Monday that it is temporarily halting leases for five major offshore wind projects along the East Coast due to national security concerns raised by the Pentagon.
The immediate pause is part of the administration’s efforts to impede offshore wind projects as it continues to oppose renewable energy sources. This decision comes shortly after a federal judge invalidated President Trump’s executive order blocking wind energy projects, deeming it unlawful.
The administration stated that the pause will allow the Interior Department, responsible for offshore wind oversight, to collaborate with the Defense Department and other agencies to assess and mitigate any security risks associated with the projects.
“The primary responsibility of the U.S. government is to safeguard the American people,” stated Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “Today’s action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid advancements in adversary technologies, and the vulnerabilities posed by large-scale offshore wind projects near our East Coast population centers.”
The administration did not provide specific details regarding the identified national security risks.
Supporters of wind energy criticized the move, labeling it as another attack by the administration on clean energy initiatives.
The administration confirmed that leases are on hold for the Vineyard Wind project in Massachusetts, Revolution Wind in Rhode Island and Connecticut, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, as well as two projects in New York: Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind.
According to the Interior Department, unclassified reports from the U.S. government have consistently highlighted radar interference caused by the movement of large turbine blades and reflective towers, known as “clutter.” This interference generated by offshore wind projects can obscure legitimate moving targets and create false targets in the project vicinity, the Interior Department explained.
National security expert and former USS Cole Commander Kirk Lippold emphasized that the projects underwent thorough review by various state and federal agencies, including the Coast Guard, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and the Air Force.
“The records of decisions clearly demonstrate that the Department of Defense was consulted at every stage of the permitting process,” he stated, arguing that the projects would enhance national security by diversifying the country’s energy sources.
This development follows a recent ruling by a federal judge that overturned Trump’s executive order blocking wind energy projects, stating that the attempt to halt leasing of wind farms on federal lands and waters was arbitrary, capricious, and violated U.S. law.
Judge Patti Saris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts invalidated Trump’s executive order and deemed it unlawful, in response to a legal challenge by a coalition of state attorneys general and Washington, D.C., led by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Trump’s stance against renewable energy, especially offshore wind, and his preference for fossil fuels to generate electricity have been well-documented.
Advocates for wind energy condemned the administration’s actions as illegal and highlighted the affordability and reliability of offshore wind power for the grid.
“For almost a year, the Trump administration has obstructed the expansion of clean, cost-effective electricity for millions of Americans while the demand for electricity in the country is rising,” stated Ted Kelly of the Environmental Defense Fund.
“Now the administration is once again unlawfully impeding clean, affordable energy,” Kelly added. “We should not hinder America’s primary source of renewable energy, especially when more inexpensive, domestically produced electricity is needed.”
The administration’s policies are particularly concerning as it continues to subsidize outdated, polluting coal plants that are inefficient and harm air quality, Kelly emphasized.
The Conservation Law Foundation, an environmental group based in Boston, described the pause as a repeat of the administration’s failed attempt to thwart offshore wind projects, noting that courts have previously rejected the administration’s arguments.
“Attempting once more to halt these projects disregards the rule of law, jeopardizes jobs, and intentionally undermines a crucial industry that bolsters — not weakens — America’s energy security,” stated Kate Sinding Daly, senior vice president for law and policy at the law foundation.
