Trump Reverses Halt on $5B New York Offshore Wind Project

The Trump administration has reversed its earlier stop-work order on the $5 billion Empire Wind offshore wind project off the coast of New York, allowing construction to resume. The project, led by Norwegian energy company Equinor, had already completed over 30% of construction before the halt, which was initially justified by claims of "flawed science" regarding environmental concerns but lacked supporting data. The reversal followed significant political pressure, including from New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who emphasized the potential loss of 1,500 union jobs and power for 500,000 homes. Equinor's CEO highlighted the broad coalition of officials involved in restoring the project, including federal and state leaders and international partners. Empire Wind is key to New York’s 2040 zero-emissions goals and is expected to help mitigate projected energy shortages in the region, with full operation targeted by 2027. The company plans to reassess the project's economics following the pause but remains committed to advancing clean energy and supporting local economies.