Trump admin ends halt on New York offshore wind project

President Donald Trump’s administration has reversed its halt on an enormous offshore wind challenge in New York led by Norwegian firm Equinor, US officers confirmed Tuesday.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Equinor had introduced the coverage shift in statements Monday night time, saying building on the large Empire Wind project would be capable to resume following a month-long stoppage.

An Equinor spokesman informed AFP final week that the corporate would possibly abandon the challenge if an answer weren’t discovered quickly.

Trump, who has repeatedly expressed opposition to wind power—claiming generators are unpleasant and harmful—signed a sequence of govt orders focusing on the sector shortly after returning to the White Home in January.

These included a brief freeze on federal allowing and loans for offshore and onshore wind tasks.

Inside Secretary Doug Burgum introduced in mid-April that his division was ordering building halted “immediately” on the Empire Wind challenge, saying predecessors within the administration of former president Joe Biden had not carried out “sufficient analysis.”

In a social media publish Monday night time, Burgum didn’t point out Empire Wind however praised Hochul for “her willingness to move forward on critical pipeline capacity.”

Burgum and Power Secretary Chris Wright, a former oil business govt, have emphasised the necessity to streamline pipeline allowing, calling the difficulty a serious obstacle to pure gasoline growth.

“Power Dominance is the inspiration of America’s financial and national security,” Burgum stated on X.

“Americans who live in New York and New England would see significant economic benefits and lower utility costs from increased access to reliable, affordable, clean American natural gas.”

A Division of Inside spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday that the wind challenge halt had been lifted.

Hochul thanked Trump in her assertion, calling the challenge “critical” when it comes to jobs and clear energy.

“New York’s financial future goes to be powered by considerable, clean energy that helps our properties and companies thrive,” Hochul stated.

“We appreciate the fact that construction can now resume on Empire Wind, a project which underscores our commitment to deliver energy while supporting local economies and creating jobs,” Equinor CEO Anders Opedal stated individually.

Valued by Equinor at $2.5 billion, the Empire Wind 1 challenge consists of 54 generators designed to ship 810 megawatts of power into Brooklyn, powering 500,000 properties.

© 2025 AFP