The Trump administration has ordered the halt of construction on the Revolution Wind farm, an almost-completed offshore wind project off the coast of Rhode Island. This directive has caused significant concern among stakeholders in the renewable energy sector. Matthew Giacona, the acting director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), issued a letter to Ørsted, one of the developers, stating the work stoppage was necessary to “address concerns related to the protection of national security interests of the United States.” Ørsted, a Danish company, is collaborating on the project with Global Infrastructure Partners.
The Revolution Wind farm, which began construction in 2023, was set to supply power to homes and businesses in Rhode Island and Connecticut starting next year. This recent order is a continuation of the Trump administration’s actions against the renewable energy industry. Earlier, President Trump had issued a moratorium on new offshore wind projects and the Internal Revenue Service released guidance challenging the eligibility of wind and solar projects for federal tax incentives.
Additionally, the Commerce Department is investigating whether imports of wind turbines and their components pose a national security risk.
Construction halted on Revolution Wind
In a statement, Erik Milito, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, highlighted the broader implications of the stop-work order, stating, “Any pause or uncertainty at this stage could ripple across jobs, contracts, and communities already benefiting from the project.”
The halt on Revolution Wind is not an isolated incident.
In April, the Interior Department similarly paused an offshore wind project near Long Island, known as Empire Wind, citing insufficient analysis by the prior administration. Though construction on Empire Wind resumed in May, the delay resulted in a significant financial setback for the developer, Equinor, a Norwegian company. Equinor’s CFO, Torgrim Reitan, noted on a July earnings call that the regulatory changes had forced them to cut the value of their investment by nearly $1 billion.
Industry leaders have criticized these disruptions. Jason Grumet, chief executive of American Clean Power, condemned the Trump administration’s actions, saying, “The unfortunate message to investors is clear: the U.S. is no longer a reliable place for long-term energy investments.”
Liz Burdock, chief executive of the Oceantic Network, an advocacy group for offshore wind, also denounced the halt, stating, “This dramatic action further erodes investor confidence in the U.S. market across all industries and undermines progress on shared national priorities — shipyard revitalization, steel and port investments, and energy dominance.”
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management did not respond to requests for comment on the matter. Analysts warn that curtailing renewable energy projects amid rising electricity demand could drive up power prices nationwide, adding to the economic and environmental ramifications of these administrative actions.
The wind industry and its allies continue to evaluate their options, including potential legal actions, to resolve this issue swiftly.