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Trump Administration pausing offshore wind leases in Massachusetts, New York, Virginia, Rhode Island, Connecticut over security concerns
WASHINGTON – The Department of the Interior announced today in a release that it is pausing—effective immediately—the leases for all large-scale offshore wind projects under construction in the United States due to national security risks identified by the Department of War in recently completed classified reports.
“This pause will give the Department, along with the Department of War and other relevant government agencies, time to work with leaseholders and state partners to assess the possibility of mitigating the national security risks posed by these projects.”
“The prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “Today’s action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies, and the vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers. The Trump administration will always prioritize the security of the American people.”
The following leases are paused:
- Vineyard Wind 1 (Massachusetts)
- Revolution Wind (Rhode Island, Connecticut)
- CVOW – Commercial (Virginia)
- Sunrise Wind (New York)
- Empire Wind 1 (New York)
The Administration states that “unclassified reports from the U.S. Government have long found that the movement of massive turbine blades and the highly reflective towers create radar interference called “clutter.” The clutter caused by offshore wind projects obscures legitimate moving targets and generates false targets in the vicinity of the wind projects.”
The Department of Energy in a 2024 report stated that a radar’s threshold for false alarm detection can be increased to reduce some clutter, but an increased detection threshold could cause the radar to “miss actual targets.”
Governor Maura Healey released a statement today in response to the U.S. Department of the Interior’s issuance of a stop work order for five nearly complete offshore wind projects, including Vineyard Wind.
“Energy costs are already too high. It makes absolutely no sense for the Trump Administration to halt construction on a project that is bringing more affordable energy to our region. This puts people out of work during the holidays,” said Governor Healey. “Vineyard Wind has been producing power for a year, bringing down costs for residents and businesses, while creating nearly 4,000 jobs right here in Massachusetts. Donald Trump should be embracing an all-of-the-above approach to American energy, not shutting down critical sources like wind. It is dangerous to halt construction in the middle of a project, and I will stand up against this unlawful action by the Trump Administration to protect Massachusetts’ ratepayers and workers. We are working closely with impacted states and developers to ensure the projects are completed and continue to provide affordable power to our communities.”
Vineyard Wind I has been producing power since January 2025 and has nearly completed construction, capable of producing 572 MW of power. This stop work order means Massachusetts is losing out on new, additional power generation that could power over 200,000 homes and businesses this winter. Offshore wind has its highest output in the coldest winter months when the New England grid is most constrained. Massachusetts is losing out on crucial additional power that was poised to lower costs and emissions in the region this winter. If these additional turbines are allowed to come online, Massachusetts ratepayers would save at least $13 million in direct wholesale energy market costs between January and March 2026.
The Department of Interior has made unfounded and unspecified claims about national security risks related to offshore wind. The lease areas for these projects were designed in consultation with the Department of Defense, and Vineyard Wind has an agreement in place with both the Department of Defense and the Department of the Air Force to ensure any national security considerations are addressed.
