Washington, D.C. The Trump administration announced Monday it is immediately suspending leases for five offshore wind projects along the U.S. East Coast, citing national security concerns identified in classified Defense Department reviews. The move halts construction activity and places billions of dollars in prior investment in limbo.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the Department of the Interior is pausing the projects after classified assessments concluded the wind farms pose potential national security risks. Unclassified findings also cited concerns that offshore turbines could create radar “clutter.” Burgum argued that the affected wind farms are costly and heavily subsidized, claiming a single natural gas pipeline could supply comparable energy output.
The projects affected include Vineyard Wind 1, Revolution Wind, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind. However, Rep. Joe Courtney of Connecticut noted that previous Pentagon reviews found no adverse impacts on military operations, raising questions about the administration’s justification.
Interior officials said federal agencies will now work with leaseholders and state partners to reassess risks. Legal challenges are widely expected, particularly after a recent federal court rejected a separate presidential effort to block offshore wind development.
Sources:
-
CBS News – MBFC Rating
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
