The Trump administration halted five major offshore wind energy projects on the U.S. East Coast, citing negative impacts on national security and radar systems. According to classified Pentagon reports, the decision was based on the fact that the rotating blades and highly reflective towers of the massive wind turbines cause significant interference, known as “noise,” to military radar signals.
Wind energy projects halted
This makes it difficult to detect real moving targets, resulting in the appearance of false targets on radar screens. Defense officials emphasize that this interference directly jeopardizes coastal surveillance activities and national security operations, particularly in densely populated coastal areas.
The halt affects the Vineyard Wind project in Massachusetts, the Revolution Wind project off Rhode Island and Connecticut, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project in Virginia, and the Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind projects in New York waters.
These projects, which are under construction and held under federal lease, are among the country’s largest clean energy investments. The Interior Department will evaluate risk mitigation options with the Department of Defense and relevant agencies during the shutdown. No clear timeline has been given for when construction will resume.
This move comes about two weeks after a federal court overturned Trump’s executive order aimed at blocking wind energy projects. Massachusetts District Court Judge Patti Saris declared the executive order, signed by Trump on January 20, “arbitrary and unlawful,” invalid.
However, this time the administration targeted the projects on a specific basis, directly using the argument of “national security and radar interference.” Trump argues that wind turbines harm wildlife and are costly, while his administration prioritizes a strategy to increase fossil fuel production. Industry representatives point out that this decision has ushered in a new period of uncertainty for billions of dollars in renewable energy investments.
