Trump Administration Suspends Offshore Wind Leases Citing Military Risks
The Trump administration has suspended leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects off the U.S. East Coast, citing concerns that turbine blades and towers could interfere with military radar systems. The pause affects projects owned by Orsted, Equinor, Avangrid, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, and Dominion Energy.
According to the Department of the Interior, radar interference from moving blades and reflective towers could obscure legitimate moving targets or generate false readings, raising national security concerns. The suspension allows federal agencies to “assess the possibility of mitigating the risks posed by these projects,” the department said.
Projects impacted include Orsted’s Revolution Wind and Sunrise Wind, Vineyard Wind 1 (Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners), Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind–Commercial, and Equinor’s Empire Wind 1. Shares of Orsted fell more than 11% following the announcement.
This is the latest disruption for offshore wind development under Trump, who has criticized the industry as costly and inefficient. In August, construction on Revolution Wind was temporarily halted but later allowed to resume by a federal judge. Earlier in the year, the administration lifted a stop-work order on Empire Wind 1 after a compromise with New York state.
The uncertainty has financial implications for developers. Orsted raised $9.4 billion earlier this year to fund U.S. projects amid concerns over the administration’s stance on wind power.
The move highlights ongoing tensions between national security priorities and the growth of renewable energy in the United States.
Source: nbcnews.com
