Trump Administration Halts Near-Complete Offshore Wind Project in U.S.

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The Trump administration has ordered a stop to the nearly finished $1.5 billion Revolution Wind offshore project off the coast of Rhode Island, citing national security concerns. The decision marks the latest in a series of actions restricting U.S. offshore renewable energy development, despite the project being largely completed and already cleared through multiple federal and state approval processes.

Developed by Danish energy company Ørsted, the Revolution Wind project had installed 45 of its 65 turbines and completed the foundations for the remainder. The project was expected to supply electricity to around 350,000 households in Rhode Island and Connecticut, supporting regional energy needs and contributing to state-level clean energy targets. The abrupt halt has drawn criticism from local officials, environmental advocates, and the renewable energy industry, who say it undermines years of planning and investment.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is enforcing the stop-work order, which aligns with broader policies from the Trump administration aimed at freezing offshore wind initiatives. Earlier in the year, similar action was taken against New York’s Empire Wind project, signaling a clear federal stance against the rapid expansion of offshore renewable projects.

State leaders reacted sharply. Governors from Rhode Island and Connecticut, alongside Senator Richard Blumenthal, described the order as politically motivated and harmful to the regional economy. They pledged to challenge the decision, arguing that the project provides critical energy infrastructure, supports local jobs, and advances environmental goals. Ørsted is evaluating its legal options while managing a $9.4 billion capital-raising plan to maintain its U.S. operations. Industry representatives warn that halting a nearly completed project could destabilize investment and deter future development in the offshore wind sector.

Environmental groups have expressed deep concern over the decision. They emphasize that shelving a project at such an advanced stage hinders efforts to reduce carbon emissions and meet renewable energy targets. Offshore wind has been a central component of state strategies to transition to cleaner energy, and the halt threatens progress made in both Rhode Island and Connecticut. Meanwhile, anti-wind organizations welcomed the move, arguing that offshore turbines present environmental and aesthetic challenges.

The Revolution Wind project’s stoppage highlights the growing divide over America’s energy policy. The Trump administration has recently canceled over 3.5 million acres of designated wind zones, suspended permitting and leasing for offshore projects, and halted construction on projects already authorized. The administration maintains that these steps are necessary to safeguard national security and ensure careful oversight of offshore infrastructure.

The decision has far-reaching implications. For Ørsted, the financial risks are significant, as investors closely watch the treatment of high-value renewable projects. The broader offshore wind industry faces uncertainty, with developers and financiers questioning the stability of U.S. energy policy and potential returns. Local economies and workers involved in construction, maintenance, and related sectors are also affected, as project timelines and job creation are put on hold indefinitely.

By halting one of the country’s most advanced offshore wind projects, the administration signals a restrictive approach to renewable energy development, raising concerns about the future of the U.S. offshore wind sector. The dispute is likely to continue in court and in state-federal negotiations, shaping the energy landscape and investment climate for years to come.