The buildout of renewable energy projects in downstate New York, which includes the Hudson Valley and regions below, has been under scrutiny as the available space is limited, particularly in New York City, leading to increased costs.
Smaller battery storage and solar projects could inch the state closer to its ambitious renewable energy goals; however, this approach needs to be complemented by utility-scale renewable energy generation.
This is where the Empire Wind 1 project enters the conversation, marking the beginning of a massive offshore wind expansion off the coast of Long Island.
The project, granted a lease from the federal government in 2017, was expected to create over 1,500 jobs and ultimately power 500,000 homes with the installation of 54 wind turbines.
On Wednesday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum instructed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to halt all construction on Empire Wind 1, citing a need for further review of claims that the Biden administration rushed through its approval without sufficient analysis.
Since taking office in January, Donald Trump has expressed firm opposition to offshore wind energy, characterizing them as “big, ugly windmills” that endanger wildlife.
In February, during his administration, he terminated National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration employees who were monitoring the impacts of offshore wind initiatives on marine wildlife.
Moreover, the president signed an executive order on his first day in office that withdrew all parts of the outer continental shelf from new or renewed offshore leasing activity.
This order also suspended the approval process for new onshore and offshore wind projects and directed a review of all existing offshore leases, with the potential for terminations.
Equinor, the Norwegian energy company responsible for Empire Wind 1, confirmed that construction would be halted.
Empire Offshore Wind LLC, the project’s managing entity, stated it is “engaging with relevant authorities to clarify this matter and is considering its legal remedies, including appealing the order.”
The Trump administration’s stop-work order could have significant repercussions for New York state’s climate aims and the expansion of green job opportunities in the downstate region.
Approximately 44% of New York City’s census tracts are occupied by low-income communities that have experienced a disproportionate share of negative impacts from pollution.
These communities stand to be the most adversely affected when climate targets are delayed or entry-level job opportunities fail to materialize.
The Empire Wind 1 project had promised to deliver green union jobs to the downstate region.
Equinor has been collaborating with the New York City Economic Development Corporation and terminal operator Sustainable South Brooklyn Marine Terminal to redevelop the marine terminal that will serve as the long-term operations and maintenance hub for the project.
This initiative is particularly advantageous for Sunset Park, an environmentally burdened neighborhood that fought for inclusion in the plans.
Council member Alexa Avilés, who represents the area, noted, “Our community has fought for years to ensure that Sunset Park would be part of solutions to reduce carbon emissions, build healthier and green energy, and provide new local union jobs.”
The job creation projected from the projects is sizable; it includes at least 1,000 construction jobs, 130 apprenticeships, 200 assembly jobs at the marine terminal, and 50 permanent, long-term positions to maintain operations for Empire Wind.
The city views green jobs as a vital pathway for low-income residents or those lacking a college education to raise their earning potential.
However, as the growth of green jobs has decelerated, massive projects like Empire Wind 1 have mounted in significance.
Vincent Alvarez, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, criticized the halt, stating, “The reckless and overreaching move to halt construction that is already underway on Empire Wind threatens thousands of good union jobs and jeopardizes the progress New York has made toward cleaner, more affordable energy.”
Esther Rosario, executive director of the labor union coalition Climate Jobs NY, highlighted the urgency, noting that union workers were scheduled to mobilize for monopile installation as early as next week.
With the current halt, she remarked, “That means that in two weeks, those workers won’t have a paycheck coming their way.”
Under the state’s Climate Act, New York has committed to achieving a 70% renewably sourced grid by 2030.
Inside Climate News reported earlier this year that such a timeline is already in jeopardy, particularly given the limited number of renewable projects planned for the downstate region.
Alexander Patterson, campaign coordinator for Public Power NY, stressed the importance of advancing new generation projects, asserting, “We need to redouble our efforts at the state level, especially downstate, in getting new generation projects off the ground.”
He lamented that the stoppage is just one of many projects facing cancellation, citing both financial and political barriers.
The suspension of construction on Empire Wind 1 threatens to further delay the state’s energy transition.
The uncertainty unleashed by the Trump administration’s directive may extend far beyond downstate New York.
Rob Freudenberg, vice president of energy and environment programs at the Regional Plan Association, raised concerns about the implications for future projects, stating, “If we now have a situation where every change in administration could mean the revoking of permits and stop-work orders, I think it breaks the certainty that we have moving forward.”
He concluded that this uncertainty could impact not only the offshore wind sector but a broader range of renewable energy initiatives as well.
image source from：https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/18/trump-new-york-wind-farm-cancellaction
