Trump opens new front in war on US offshore wind industry

In a statement, the Department of Interior said the pause “will give the Department, along with the Department of War and other relevant government agencies, time to work with leaseholders and state partners to assess the possibility of mitigating the national security risks posed by these projects.”

Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum claimed that the action “addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies,” and what he claimed were “vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centres.”

Leases were paused for Vineyard Wind 1 (OCS-A 0501); Revolution Wind (OCS-A 0486); CVOW – Commercial (OCS-A 0483); Sunrise Wind (OCS-A 0487); and Empire Wind 1 (OCS-A 0512).

The Department of Interior said movement of wind turbine blades and the ‘highly reflective towers’ create radar interference called clutter. This is a long-known and understood phenomenon that has been addressed in offshore wind projects worldwide.

Ørsted, which is working on the Sunrise Wind and Revolution Wind projects, said it is evaluating all options to resolve the matter expeditiously, together with its partners. The company said, “This includes engagement with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and other permitting agencies as well as the evaluation of potential legal proceedings.”

Another of the projects affected, Empire Wind, said it is already complying with relevant national security related requirements, identified as part of the regulatory process conducted over several years and will continue to work with BOEM and other federal agencies to continue to implement all necessary mitigation for the project.

Responding, Oceantic Network, which has worked for years to promote the many benefits of offshore wind in the US said, “The Trump administration’s construction pause on five offshore wind projects set to deliver nearly 6 GW of much-needed power is another veiled attempt to hide the fact that the President doesn’t like offshore wind – a well-documented preference that is increasing energy costs for millions of Americans, deterring US investment, and putting thousands out of work indefinitely.”

Oceantic Network said the US offshore wind industry has continuously worked with the Department of Defense to address national security concerns, and its own Clearinghouse has signed off on every offshore wind lease ahead of construction.

“Offshore wind is delivering a more secure maritime industry, investing in shipyards and steel plants and ports to further protect our nation. The US needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy, not an all-out assault on renewable energy based on personal preference,” said the Network.

The latest attack follows recent court victories against the administration’s attempts to slow down offshore wind. Just two weeks ago, a federal judge vacated the administration’s previous permitting pause, ruling it unlawful. Earlier this year, a separate judge ordered an injunction against the administration’s stop work order against Revolution Wind, finding it unsubstantiated. “This newest claim contradicts years of rigorous, interagency reviews, as these projects have already passed clearances from the Department of Defense and the Pentagon before construction began,” Oceantic Network said.

National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) president Erik Milito urged the administration “to move promptly, in collaboration with the industry, to end the pause on construction of offshore wind projects for potential national security concerns.”

He noted that the regulatory process that the projects have already been through “involves a rigorous framework for assessing national security implications of proposed projects, and every project under construction has already undergone review by the Department of Defense with no objections. 

“The process, as required by law, provides a timely, transparent, and repeatable process to evaluate potential impacts and mitigation options related to offshore energy compatibility. The Department of Defense coordinates at every stage of planning, permitting, and development,” said Mr Milito.

“As NOIA emphasized to the administration earlier this year, offshore wind improves  national security by shifting economic, infrastructure, and geopolitical advantages to the US through increased shipbuilding, enhancements to our ports, greater energy security to power surging electricity demand, more manufacturing and good-paying jobs, additional business for the oil and gas supply chain, and collaborative opportunities for our military. In short, offshore wind helps the US achieve its energy dominance goals.” He urged the administration end this pause and to resist taking further action that may harm jobs and investment, as well as undermine economic and geopolitical competition with China.

Retired Army General James ‘Spider’ Marks – the senior intelligence officer for the 2003 liberation of Iraq and the former commanding general of the US Army Intelligence Center - underscored the positive national security impacts of our offshore wind industry in relation to China. He said, “America needs a strong offshore wind energy industry in order to compete with China.”