Trump Pauses 5 Offshore Wind Deals; Connected to Constitution Pipe?

A big announcement from the Trump Department of the Interior (DOI). Yesterday, the DOI announced an immediate pause on all large-scale offshore wind project leases currently under construction in the United States. There are five such projects along the East Coast, including one off the coast of New York State. The DOI said the decision stems from "national security risks" identified by the Department of War in classified reports, specifically concerning radar interference known as "clutter" caused by massive turbine blades. Trump previously negotiated a deal with NY Governor Kathy Hochul to allow two pipeline projects---the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project and the Constitution Pipeline---in return for building the offshore Empire Wind 1 project (see White House Claims NY Gov. “Caved” on Pipelines, Hochul Says No). Our immediate thought is to question whether this pullback on the wind project is somehow connected to the pipeline deal.

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