Empire Wind Project Resumes Construction in New York

News Summary

The Trump administration has lifted the stop-work order on the Empire Wind offshore wind project, allowing construction to resume off New York’s coast. Following lobbying from Governor Kathy Hochul and project developer Equinor, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management permitted the restart after a month of halted activities. The project, set to power over 500,000 homes by 2026, is crucial for New York’s renewable energy goals and job preservation in the construction sector.

New York – The Trump administration has formally rescinded a stop-work order on the Empire Wind offshore wind project, allowing construction to resume off the coast of New York. This decision follows lobbying efforts spearheaded by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Equinor, the project’s developer. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management promptly notified Equinor that it could restart construction activities that had been paused since April 16.

The stop-work order was initially implemented when Interior Secretary Doug Burgum called for a comprehensive review of the project’s permits. At that time, Equinor had already invested over $2.5 billion into the Empire Wind project, acquiring the necessary permits through a lengthy process spanning over seven years. As of now, the project is approximately one-third complete, having seen construction efforts come to a halt for about one month.

Following the lifting of the order, Equinor President and CEO Anders Opedal expressed gratitude to President Donald Trump for his support, stressing that resuming construction would preserve approximately 1,500 jobs in the construction sector. The Empire Wind project is positioned to deliver electricity to more than 500,000 homes in New York by the year 2026, emphasizing its significance to the future energy landscape of the state.

Governor Hochul underscored the importance of the Empire Wind project in not only meeting energy needs but also in fostering job creation within New York. The project is part of the state’s broader initiative to source 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and achieve 9 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2035.

Prior to the suspension of construction, around 500 union workers were actively engaged in development work at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. However, the implementation of the stop-work order resulted in significant financial losses for Equinor, which was losing an estimated $50 million per week and had 11 vessels sitting idle on standby for construction activities.

Support for the resumption of the project also came from Senator Chuck Schumer, who welcomed the decision, asserting that the Empire Wind project will benefit the economy of Long Island and contribute positively to environmental sustainability in the region.

Despite these developments, offshore wind projects in the U.S. have faced numerous challenges, including high costs, supply chain disruptions, and protracted permitting processes. Critics of the administration’s previous actions contend that the obstacles imposed on the offshore wind industry have hindered its growth potential nationwide, while advocates maintain that responsibly developed wind farms are crucial in the fight against climate change.

The Empire Wind project represents a pivotal step in America’s transition to renewable energy sources. As construction resumes, it brings renewed hope for progress towards achieving both economic development and environmental goals in the state of New York.

The project also gained approval for its construction and operations plan from the federal government earlier this year, in February 2024. With the majority stake held by the Norwegian government, Equinor remains committed to advancing the Empire Wind project as a cornerstone in the future of the renewable energy landscape.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Washington Post: Empire Wind Restart in New York
• Wikipedia: Offshore Wind Power in the United States
• Reuters: Stop Work Order Lifted for Offshore Wind Farm
• Google Search: Empire Wind Project
• New York Times: Empire Wind Project Updates
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Wind Energy