President Donald Trump has lifted a federal halt on Equinor’s Empire Wind, a $5 billion wind farm off the coast of New York.
The Context
The U.S. Department of the Interior imposed the stop-work order last month, saying information suggested the Biden administration approved the project without enough environmental analysis.
The project, called Empire Wind 1, is a centerpiece of New York’s renewable energy strategy and is expected to one day provide power for half a million New York homes.
AP
What To Know
Equinor, a Norwegian firm, announced the Trump administration’s decision to reverse the stop order on Monday, Reuters reported.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement, “I want to thank President Trump for his willingness to work with me to save the 1,500 good paying union jobs that were on the line and helping get this essential project back on track.”
“I knew this critical project needed to move forward and have spent weeks pushing the federal government to rescind the stop work order to allow the workers to return and ensure this important source of renewable power could come to fruition,” Hochul said.
“New York’s economic future is going to be powered by abundant, clean energy that helps our homes and businesses thrive,” she continued. “I fought to save clean energy jobs in New York—and we got it done.”
Equinor purchased the Empire Wind lease in 2017, during Trump’s first administration, and the Biden administration approved the project in 2023. Equinor said it spent $50 million weekly to keep the project afloat during the suspension.
The project, which is set to use wind turbines from Vestas, is now 30 percent complete, the company said.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued the stop order on April 16, citing a report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that assessed the effects on marine mammals and fisheries.
The U.S. has four operating offshore wind farms under construction: Empire Wind, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Sunrise Wind off the coast of New York and Revolution Wind off the coast of Rhode Island.
What People Are Saying
Equinor CEO Anders Opedal said in a statement: “I would like to thank President Trump for finding a solution that saves thousands of American jobs and provides for continued investments in energy infrastructure in the U.S.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement: “After countless conversations with Equinor and White House officials, bringing labor and business to the table to emphasize the importance of this project, I’m pleased that President Trump and Secretary Burgum have agreed to lift the stop work order and allow this project to move forward. Now, Equinor will resume the construction of this fully-permitted project that had already received the necessary federal approvals.”
What Happens Next
With federal approval restored, Equinor is expected to move forward with the project. It said it would work with suppliers and regulatory bodies to minimize the effects of the delay.
