Trump administration suspends 5 offshore wind projects, citing national security risks

"It comes two weeks after a federal judge struck down President Donald Trump's executive order blocking wind energy projects, calling it unlawful. The administration said the pause will give the Interior Department, which oversees offshore wind, time to work with the Defense Department and other agencies to assess the possible ways to mitigate any security risks posed by the projects. The statement did not detail the national security risks. It called the move a pause, but did not specify an end date."

""The prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. "Today's action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies, and the vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers." Wind proponents slammed the move, saying it was another blow in an ongoing attack by the administration against clean energy."

"The administration's decision to cite potential national security risks could complicate legal challenges to the move, although wind supporters say those arguments are overstated. Projects paused over national security concerns The administration said leases are paused for the Vineyard Wind project under construction in Massachusetts, Revolution Wind in Rhode Island and Connecticut, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, and two projects in New York: Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind."

The Trump administration suspended leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast, citing national security risks identified by the Pentagon. The suspension is effective immediately and follows previous administration actions restricting offshore wind, coming two weeks after a federal judge struck down an executive order that had blocked wind energy projects. The Interior Department will coordinate with the Defense Department and other agencies to assess mitigation options. The statement offered no details on the alleged security risks and set no end date. Wind proponents criticized the pause and legal challenges may become more complex.

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