The Trump administration is allowing work on a major offshore wind project for New York to resume.
The developer, the Norwegian energy company Equinor, said Monday it was told by the federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management that a stop-work order has been lifted for the Empire Wind project, allowing construction to resume.
Work has been paused since Interior Secretary Doug Burgum last month directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and review the permits. Burgum said at the time that it appeared former President Joe Biden's administration had 鈥渞ushed through鈥� the approvals. Equinor spent seven years obtaining permits and has spent more than $2.5 billion so far on a project that is one-third complete.
Equinor President and CEO Anders Opedal thanked President Donald Trump for allowing the project to move forward, saving about 1,500 construction jobs and investments in U.S. energy infrastructure. He also expressed appreciation to New York's governor, New York City's mayor, members of Congress and labor groups, as well as Norwegian officials who worked to save the project. The Norwegian government owns a majority stake in Equinor.
鈥淲e 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,鈥� Opedal said in a statement.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said it took countless conversations with Equinor and White House officials, and the involvement of labor and business interests, to emphasize the project's importance and get Empire Wind back on track. Equinor is building Empire Wind south of Long Island, New York, to provide power in 2026 for more than 500,000 New York homes.
鈥淣ew York鈥檚 economic future is going to be powered by abundant, clean energy that helps our homes and businesses thrive. I fought to save clean energy jobs in New York 鈥� and we got it done," Hochul said in a statement Monday.
The Interior Department did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment Monday.
Large offshore wind farms have been making electricity for three decades in Europe and, more recently, in Asia. But the industry has struggled to grow in the U.S. due to high costs, difficulties growing a supply chain for materials and the lengthy permitting process.
Trump has prioritized fossil fuels and moved against renewable energy since returning to the White House. in federal waters and the issuance of approvals, permits and loans for all wind projects. But the administration鈥檚 targeting of Empire Wind, a project already underway, took that a step further.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement Friday that while unleashing America鈥檚 energy dominance, Trump 鈥減aused certain wind projects that are detrimental to our beloved wildlife including birds and whales.鈥�
between large whale deaths and ongoing offshore wind activities, . While wind turbines can pose a risk to birds, wildlife conservation organizations say they because climate change is a bigger threat.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of New York said Monday that lifting the stop-work order is welcome news. Empire Wind will greatly benefit the economy on Long Island and the environment for all New Yorkers, he said in a statement.
Offshore wind advocates also celebrated the decision. It鈥檚 a win for workers, the industry and companies in places like Louisiana, South Carolina and Pennsylvania, helping to build projects in the Northeast, the Oceantic Network said in a statement.
Equinor said on May 9 within days unless the administration relented on its order that stopped construction. Equinor was spending up to $50 million per week and had 11 vessels on standby.
in March 2017, during Trump鈥檚 first term. The federal government approved the construction and operations plan in February 2024.
New York aims to obtain 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035. New York is getting some wind power from the nation鈥檚 first commercial-scale offshore wind farm, a that opened a year ago, operated by different companies east of Montauk Point, New York.
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Jennifer Mcdermott, The Associated Press
