The Trump administration lifted a stop-work order that threatened over 1,000 jobs at a wind farm project off the coast of Long Island Monday — at the behest of Gov. Kathy Hochul and Big Apple Mayor Eric Adams.
Construction at the Empire Wind 1 site was halted on April 16 after the Department of the Interior concluded that the project and its permit approval were “rushed through” by the Biden administration.
The project, just one cog in New York’s grander push to become fossil fuel-free by 2050, is set to power 500,000 homes through green energy provided by wind turbines. It has faced steep criticism from Nassau County officials, who claim that the project threatens marine life and the local fishing industry.
Hochul promised to fight the stop-work order the same day it was put into place, noting that the bipartisan plan had “already put shovels in the ground.”
“I knew this critical project needed to move forward and have spent weeks pushing the federal government to rescind the stop work order to allow the workers to return and ensure this important source of renewable power could come to fruition,” Hochul said.
“I want to thank President Trump for his willingness to work with me to save the 1,500 good-paying union jobs that were on the line and helping get this essential project back on track. New York’s economic future is going to be powered by abundant, clean energy that helps our homes and businesses thrive. I fought to save clean energy jobs in New York — and we got it done.”
Adams also praised the administration for the move.
“I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary Doug Burgum for their thorough review, for hearing our requests to resume construction, and for working with the city, state, NYSERDA, and Equinor to get this project back on track,” said Hizzoner, who met with Trump earlier this month and discussed the project.
“This is a strong sign of what we can accomplish when we work, instead of war, with the federal government to deliver for all Americans.”
Equinor ASA, the parent company of Empire Offshore Wind, praised both sides of the aisle for coming to a conclusion that works for all, including the employees whose jobs were jeopardized by the stop-work order.
“I would like to thank President Trump for finding a solution that saves thousands of American jobs and provides for continued investments in energy infrastructure in the U.S. I am grateful to Governor Hochul for her constructive collaboration with the Trump Administration, without which we would not have been able to advance this project and secure energy for 500 000 homes in New York,” Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA, said.
In line with the renewed permission, Equinor asserted that it would do “an updated assessment of the project economics” this summer. It still maintains that it can reach its planned operation start date in 2027. As it stands, the project is already “more than 30 percent complete,” according to Equinor.
