Interior Department Halts Offshore Wind Farm Leases Citing National Security Risks
The Interior Department has immediately paused all leases for offshore wind farms currently under construction, halting five major projects. The affected projects include Vineyard Wind 1 in Massachusetts, Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind in New York, Revolution Wind in Rhode Island, and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind in Virginia.
This action was taken due to cited national security risks and potential radar interference, sometimes referred to as "clutter." The Department of Defense (DoD) will collaborate with the Interior Department to mitigate risks that could impact military operations.
All five projects had previously been approved under the Biden administration, with Pentagon assessments reportedly indicating that Revolution Wind would not adversely affect DoD missions. Despite this, the halt has raised concerns about significant economic consequences including potential losses of billions in investment, thousands of jobs, and clean electricity generation. Developers and grid operators have warned of economic harm to the offshore wind industry.
This move follows a federal judge's earlier ruling that Trump-era orders banning wind project permits were arbitrary and capricious, a ruling that came after lawsuits by 17 states and Washington, D.C. The latest decision reflects ongoing opposition to offshore wind energy during the Trump administration, which includes statements criticizing wind energy from former President Trump and supporters of the policy change.
