The ongoing construction of Revolution Wind, a significant offshore wind project located over 15 miles south of the Rhode Island coast, has been abruptly halted due to a federal order from the Trump administration. This unprecedented decision was made by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). They then issued an order that partners suspend performance on the project because of critical national security interests. Revolution Wind was poised to change the energy landscape for Rhode Island and Connecticut. This single offshore wind farm would be enough to power more than 350,000 homes.
Revolution Wind, like all of Orsted’s Delaware projects to date, was about 80 percent through permitting when the stop order hit. Of the 65 turbines then proposed, 45 had already been cached. Construction on the project already began in 2023, with the project expected to be fully operational by this time next year. The freeze has provoked vigorous responses from a wide variety of affected stakeholders, including state officials, environmentalists, and more.
Connecticut’s Senator Richard Blumenthal termed the stop a “major setback” for the state. He highlighted the importance of the project for providing more local energy and creating jobs. He expressed his determination to fight against this decision, highlighting that the project was already well underway and employed hundreds of skilled tradesmen and women.
“This arbitrary decision defies all logic and reason — Revolution Wind’s project was already well underway and employed hundreds of skilled tradesmen and women. This is a major setback for a critical project in Connecticut, and I will fight it,” – Richard Blumenthal
Green Oceans, an environmental nonprofit that promotes the transition to a blue economy, praised the BOEM’s decision. The organization stated it is crucial to preserve the fragile ocean environment off the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
“We are grateful that the Trump Administration and the federal government are taking meaningful action to preserve the fragile ocean environment off the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts,” – Green Oceans
Environmental and clean energy advocates opposed the pause and raised alarms about its impact on renewable energy development across the United States. Kit Kennedy, an advocate for clean energy solutions, argued that the administration’s actions contradict the need for transitioning to greener energy sources.
“This administration has it exactly backwards. It’s trying to prop up clunky, polluting coal plants while doing all it can to halt the fastest growing energy sources of the future – solar and wind power,” – Kit Kennedy
Kennedy went on to blast the decision even more by claiming it puts a fiscal “clown show” burden on the American people.
“Unfortunately, every American is paying the price for these misguided decisions,” – Kit Kennedy
Even former President Donald Trump weighed in on the dire straits. He thinks such decisions have become symptomatic of a more worrisome tide he terms “stupidity” in U.S. energy policy.
“The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!!” – President Donald Trump
The reaction from Rhode Island officials has been just as, if not more, adamant. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee is hellbent on undoing this one. He, together with Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, is determined to leave no stone unturned in the quest to reach that target. They argue that stopping Revolution Wind would be contrary to their country’s progress in producing sustainable energy and creating good jobs back home in each of their states.
As the stakes get higher on all fronts—including battles over energy policy and national security pushback—watchers will be following closely as things play out with Revolution Wind. This deadlock would have a serious chilling effect on renewable energy projects to come. Its damage will be seen along the East Coast and as far away as California.
