The Trump administration has suspended leases for five major offshore wind farms along the East Coast, citing unspecified “emerging national security risks.” The decision, announced Monday by Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, halts projects off the coasts of New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Virginia.
Billions in Investment at Stake
The paused projects represented roughly 5.8 gigawatts of potential renewable energy capacity – enough to power millions of homes – and approximately $10 billion in investment since 2021. The sudden halt puts both this capital and future energy production in jeopardy.
Radar Interference as Rationale
The administration pointed to a 2024 Energy Department report detailing how wind turbines can create radar “clutter.” This interference can lead to false alarms or, if mitigation measures are taken, potentially miss actual targets. The report suggests solutions like lowering radar detection thresholds or avoiding construction in a radar’s line of sight.
Decades of Collaboration Ignored
The move contradicts decades of collaboration between wind farm operators, scientists, and the military to minimize radar interference. One affected project, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, was developed “in close coordination with the military,” according to Dominion Energy. Yet, Secretary Burgum stated Monday that the Department of Defense has “conclusively” determined these projects create unacceptable radar interference.
Industry Criticism
Industry groups such as U.S. Clean Energy at the Environmental Defense Fund condemned the decision as baseless and unlawful, arguing that it undermines the nation’s renewable energy goals.
“We should not be kneecapping America’s largest source of renewable power… this administration has baselessly attacked wind energy.” – Ted Kelly, U.S. Clean Energy at the Environmental Defense Fund
Neither the Department of the Interior nor the Department of Defense responded to requests for comment.
The sudden reversal raises questions about the administration’s priorities: balancing national security concerns against the urgent need for clean energy and economic investment. The decision highlights growing tensions between energy policy, military interests, and the long-term viability of renewable infrastructure.
