The Trump administration is permitting work on a significant offshore wind undertaking for New York to renew.
What You Want To Know
- The Trump administration is permitting work on a significant offshore wind undertaking for New York to renew
- The developer, the Norwegian power firm Equinor, mentioned Monday it was advised by the federal Bureau of Ocean Vitality Administration {that a} stop-work order has been lifted for the Empire Wind undertaking, permitting building to renew
- Work has been paused since Inside Secretary Doug Burgum final month directed the Bureau of Ocean Vitality Administration to halt building and overview the permits. Burgum mentioned on the time that it appeared former President Joe Biden’s administration had “rushed by way of” the approvals
The developer, the Norwegian power firm Equinor, mentioned Monday it was advised by the federal Bureau of Ocean Vitality Administration {that a} stop-work order has been lifted for the Empire Wind undertaking, permitting building to renew.
Work has been paused since Inside Secretary Doug Burgum final month directed the Bureau of Ocean Vitality Administration to halt construction and overview the permits. Burgum mentioned on the time that it appeared former President Joe Biden’s administration had “rushed by way of” the approvals. Equinor spent seven years acquiring permits and has spent greater than $2.5 billion to date on a undertaking that’s one-third full.
Equinor President and CEO Anders Opedal thanked President Donald Trump for permitting the undertaking to maneuver ahead, saving about 1,500 building jobs and investments in U.S. power infrastructure. He additionally expressed appreciation to New York’s governor, New York Metropolis’s mayor, members of Congress and labor teams, in addition to Norwegian officers who labored to avoid wasting the undertaking. The Norwegian authorities owns a majority stake in Equinor.
“We recognize the truth that building can now resume on Empire Wind, a undertaking which underscores our dedication to ship power whereas supporting native economies and creating jobs,” Opedal mentioned in a press release.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul mentioned it took numerous conversations with Equinor and White Home officers, and the involvement of labor and enterprise pursuits, to emphasise the undertaking’s significance and get Empire Wind again on monitor. Equinor is constructing Empire Wind south of Lengthy Island, New York, to supply energy in 2026 for greater than 500,000 New York houses.
“New York’s financial future goes to be powered by ample, clear power that helps our houses and companies thrive. I fought to avoid wasting clear power jobs in New York — and we acquired it achieved,” Hochul mentioned in a press release Monday.
The Inside Division didn’t instantly reply to emails looking for remark Monday.
Massive offshore wind farms have been making electrical energy for 3 many years in Europe and, extra lately, in Asia. However the trade has struggled to develop within the U.S. because of excessive prices, difficulties rising a provide chain for supplies and the prolonged allowing course of.
Trump has prioritized fossil fuels and moved in opposition to renewable power since returning to the White Home. One of his first acts was ordering a pause of offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and the issuance of approvals, permits and loans for all wind initiatives. However the administration’s focusing on of Empire Wind, a undertaking already underway, took {that a} step additional.
White Home spokesperson Taylor Rogers mentioned in a press release Friday that whereas unleashing America’s power dominance, Trump “paused sure wind initiatives which are detrimental to our beloved wildlife together with birds and whales.”
There are no known links between massive whale deaths and ongoing offshore wind actions, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Whereas wind generators can pose a danger to birds, wildlife conservation organizations say they support the responsible development of offshore wind as a result of local weather change is a much bigger risk.
Senate Democratic Chief Chuck Schumer of New York mentioned Monday that lifting the stop-work order is welcome information. Empire Wind will significantly profit the financial system on Lengthy Island and the setting for all New Yorkers, he mentioned in a press release.
Offshore wind advocates additionally celebrated the choice. It’s a win for staff, the trade and firms in locations like Louisiana, South Carolina and Pennsylvania, serving to to construct initiatives within the Northeast, the Oceantic Community mentioned in a press release.
Equinor mentioned on Might 9 it would be forced to abandon Empire Wind inside days until the administration relented on its order that stopped building. Equinor was spending as much as $50 million per week and had 11 vessels on standby.
Equinor finalized the federal lease in March 2017, throughout Trump’s first time period. The federal authorities permitted the development and operations plan in February 2024.
New York goals to acquire 70% of its electrical energy from renewable sources by 2030 and 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035. New York is getting some wind energy from the nation’s first commercial-scale offshore wind farm, a 12-turbine wind farm called South Fork that opened a 12 months in the past, operated by totally different firms east of Montauk Level, New York.
