Trump Administration Halts Revolution Wind Project Citing National Security
The Trump administration has stopped construction on the nearly complete Revolution Wind project in New England, citing unspecified national security interests, sparking opposition from state governors.
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Overview
- The Trump administration ordered a halt to the Revolution Wind project, an offshore wind farm near Rhode Island and Connecticut, citing unspecified "national security interests."
- The Revolution Wind project, which began construction in 2023, was approximately 80% complete with 45 of 65 turbines installed, and was expected to power over 350,000 homes.
- Governors of Rhode Island and Connecticut criticized the stop-work order, vowing to explore all available avenues to reverse the Trump administration's decision.
- The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) initiated a review of the project following the halt, a move praised by the nonprofit Green Oceans, which opposes offshore wind.
- This decision comes amidst global scientific calls for rapid adoption of renewable energy to combat climate change, contrasting with the Trump administration's general favor of fossil fuels.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by portraying the Trump administration's halt of the Revolution Wind project as an arbitrary "attack" on a "battered" industry, hindering the "urgent fight against climate change." They emphasize the project's advanced stage and link the decision to the administration's broader anti-renewable energy stance, while downplaying or omitting details regarding the stated national security concerns.
"The Trump administration halted construction on a nearly complete offshore wind project near Rhode Island as the White House continues to attack the battered U.S. offshore wind industry that scientists say is crucial to the urgent fight against climate change."
Fortune"The Trump administration halted construction on a nearly complete offshore wind project near Rhode Island as the White House continues to attack the battered U.S. offshore wind industry that scientists say is crucial to the urgent fight against climate change."
ABC News"This arbitrary decision defies all logic and reason — Revolution Wind’s project was already well underway and employed hundreds of skilled tradesmen and women."
Associated Press"The Trump administration has ordered companies to stop construction of a wind farm that's being built off the coast of Rhode Island."
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FAQ
The Trump administration halted the Revolution Wind project citing unspecified national security interests related to the protection of the United States. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management ordered the stop to review these concerns, which followed a presidential order to review all ongoing wind projects on federal properties.
The Revolution Wind project was approximately 80% complete, with 45 of the 65 wind turbines already installed. Construction began in 2023 and the project was expected to be operational in 2026.
The project is designed to generate more than 700 megawatts of power, supplying 305 megawatts to Connecticut and 400 megawatts to Rhode Island, collectively capable of powering approximately 350,000 homes.
Governors of Rhode Island and Connecticut criticized the stop-work order and vowed to explore all available options to reverse the Trump administration's decision to halt the project.
The decision comes amidst the Trump administration's general preference for fossil fuels and opposition to wind and solar power, contrasting with global scientific calls to rapidly adopt renewable energy to combat climate change and mitigate extreme weather events.
History
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