The Trump administration has paused construction of a significant offshore wind farm project off the coast of New York, intended to supply electricity to 500,000 homes. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum criticized the Biden administration for rushing the approval of the Empire Wind 1 project without adequate analysis. This decision is a setback for the US wind industry, which was supported by former President Joe Biden but has faced opposition from President Trump. Trump issued executive orders targeting the industry, including a temporary freeze on federal permits and loans for offshore and onshore wind projects. New York Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the halt as federal overreach and vowed to challenge it. Equinor, the Norwegian company leading the project, announced it would suspend offshore construction and engage with the administration to understand the reasons behind the order. The project, leased from the federal government in 2017, was set to deliver 810 MW of energy into Brooklyn. Trump has previously made unsubstantiated claims about wind turbines harming wildlife.
— new from BBC
