The Trump administration has paused construction on the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind farm project off the coast of Long Island. This decision was made due to concerns over insufficient analysis during the approval process under the Biden administration. The project, which was leased by the federal government in 2017, aimed to create over 1,500 jobs and power 500,000 homes through 54 wind turbines.
The halt could significantly impact New York’s climate goals and green job opportunities, particularly in low-income communities disproportionately affected by pollution. Equinor, the Norwegian energy company behind the project, stated that they are engaging with authorities and considering legal actions.
This setback may delay New York’s target of achieving a 70% renewably sourced grid by 2030, as fewer renewable projects are planned for the downstate region. Industry experts warn that such political interference could undermine investor confidence in offshore wind projects nationwide.
— new from The Guardian
