Trump admin halts controversial Long Island windfarm project in latest blow to NY green energy push
The Trump administration has halted construction of a sprawling wind farm under construction off the Long Island coast — claiming its permits were “rushed” through without proper research.“Staff of the Department of the Interior has obtained information that raises serious issues with respect to the project approvals for the Empire Wind Project,” Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum wrote in a Wednesday letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.“Approval for the project was rushed through by the prior administration without sufficient analysis or consultation among the relevant agencies as relates to the potential effects from the project,” he added, pointing the finger at former President Joe Biden.“This halt is to remain in effect until further review is completed to address these serious deficiencies.”Burgum later confirmed the move in a statement on X.It’s the latest development in a drama that’s been brewing in the waters about 15 miles off the southeast coast of Long Island, where the Norwegian energy company Equinor has broken ground on 54 wind turbines known as Empire 1.The project — backed by Mayor Adams and Gov.
Hochul — is supposed to bring power to 500,000 homes, and is part of an ambitious plan to make New York State fossil fuel-free by 2050.But it has drawn criticism from Nassau County officials, who argue marine life and the local fishing industry will be harmed, and that the island will be left strapped with power lines through dense residential areas.Its future was first cast into question when President Trump returned to office on Jan.
20 and promptly signed a sweeping executive order halting wind energy leasing in federal waterways.Empire 1 already had its permits in hand and work on the turbine foundations continued.Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has been among the most vocal local critics of the project, and echoed Burgum’s comments during a Wednesday press con...