US Suspends Construction of Equinor’s Empire Wind Project Off New York Coast

US Suspends Construction of Equinor’s Empire Wind Project Off New York Coast

The US Interior Department has halted construction on Equinor’s Empire Wind project. The suspension, issued by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, stems from concerns over insufficient environmental analysis during the prior administration’s approval process.

Environmental Concerns Lead to Suspension

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), part of the Interior Department, directed Equinor to stop all construction activities. This decision follows a review of the permits issued to Equinor. Secretary Burgum did not specify the environmental issues but stressed the need for a full review before work resumes.

Equinor confirmed receiving the stop-work order. A spokesperson said the company will engage with BOEM and the Interior Department to clarify the concerns about the permits. The company declined to provide further comments until more information is available.

Impact on Offshore Wind Permitting and Leasing

The suspension is part of a broader review of offshore wind permitting and leasing. The review began after President Donald Trump returned to office in January. The aim is to assess the effectiveness of the offshore wind energy framework, including Offshore WindEnergy initiatives. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, whose department oversees the National Marine Fisheries Service, was involved in consultations that led to the suspension.

Empire Wind Project Overview

The Empire Wind project, approved in November 2023, is located 12 nautical miles south of Long Island. This 2.1GW offshore wind farm, part of the broader Offshore WindEnergy initiative, will generate enough electricity to power 700,000 homes annually. Governor Kathy Hochul of New York highlighted that the project has already created hundreds of jobs, boosting the state’s economy while supporting Offshore WindEnergy development.

The project began construction in 2024 and was expected to begin electricity production by 2027. However, with the suspension now in effect, delays in the project’s timeline seem likely, potentially impacting the progress of Offshore WindEnergy projects across the region.