The 65-turbine wind farm was expected to power 350,000 homes across Rhode Island and Connecticut by next spring|Schroeder/NREL|CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
The Trump administration has ordered all construction to stop on Revolution Wind, a $4 billion offshore project near Rhode Island that is nearly 70% complete.
The 65-turbine wind farm, developed by Danish energy giant Orsted, was expected to power 350,000 homes across Rhode Island and Connecticut by next spring.
National security concerns cited
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued the halt, saying it must review unspecified “national security” issues.
Orsted said it is considering legal action but still hopes to complete the project next year.
Connecticut’s attorney general warned the stoppage could raise electricity costs for ratepayers, while industry leaders said the delay risks billions in investment and thousands of jobs.
Wider energy policy shift
The decision marks another setback for offshore wind, as the administration promotes fossil fuels.
Recently, it blocked other wind projects, extended coal plant operations, and launched a trade probe into imported turbines.