The Trump administration just slammed the brakes on the Revolution Wind project, a nearly done offshore wind farm just 15 miles south of Rhode Island.
According to NPR, in a move that’s got green energy enthusiasts clutching their solar panels, the administration has ordered a full stop to construction, citing national security concerns, while continuing a broader push against the renewable energy sector with moratoriums and regulatory hurdles.
Let’s rewind to 2023, when construction kicked off on Revolution Wind, a joint venture between Danish developer Ørsted and Global Infrastructure Partners, with plans to power homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut as early as next year.
Fast forward to now, and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s acting director, Matthew Giacona, has penned a letter to Ørsted, claiming the halt is to protect U.S. national security interests.
That’s a hefty claim, but details are scarcer than a conservative at a climate rally—neither the Bureau nor the administration has offered much to chew on beyond the statement.
This isn’t the first rodeo for the Trump team; back in January, President Trump slapped a moratorium on new offshore wind developments, signaling a clear pivot away from the renewable push of prior administrations.
Adding fuel to the fire, the Internal Revenue Service recently tightened the screws with new guidance that makes it tougher for wind and solar projects to snag federal tax incentives.
Meanwhile, the Commerce Department is poking around, investigating if imported wind turbines and parts pose a national security threat—because apparently, nothing screams danger like a spinning blade offshore.
Let’s not forget April’s drama, when the Interior Department paused the Empire Wind project off Long Island, with Secretary Doug Burgum griping that the prior administration rushed its approval without proper scrutiny.
Empire Wind’s stop-work order was lifted in May, but not before its developer, Norwegian company Equinor, took a financial hit, slashing the value of its investment by nearly $1 billion due to shifting U.S. regulations.
“The changes in regulations for future offshore wind projects in the U.S.,” Equinor’s CFO Torgrim Reitan noted, were the primary culprit for the massive write-down. Turns out, policy flip-flops can cost more than just political points.
Industry voices are sounding the alarm, with Erik Milito of the National Ocean Industries Association warning, “Any pause or uncertainty at this stage could ripple across jobs, contracts, and communities already benefiting from the project.” He’s got a point—stability matters when you’re building the future of energy.
Milito also highlighted a stark reality: “Today, the U.S. has only one fully operational large-scale offshore wind project producing power.” If we’re serious about meeting rising energy demands, stalling projects like Revolution Wind might leave us all in the dark—literally and figuratively.
Liz Burdock of the Oceantic Network didn’t mince words either, stating, “For the second time, the Trump Administration has taken unlawful action against a fully permitted offshore wind project under active construction.” While her legal jab stings, it’s hard not to wonder if national security truly trumps nearly 80% completion—or if this is just politics dressed in camouflage.
Jason Grumet of American Clean Power summed up the investor chill with, “The unfortunate message to investors is clear.” He’s not wrong; when the U.S. starts looking like a regulatory rollercoaster, even the boldest companies might think twice before betting on our energy future. But let’s be real—shouldn’t we prioritize American interests over foreign developers’ bottom lines?
