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Construction Halts on New York’s Empire Wind Project Amid Political Tensions

The Biden administration has put a stop to the construction of a significant offshore wind farm, known as Empire Wind 1, located off the coast of New York. This initiative was projected to generate sufficient electricity to supply approximately 500,000 homes.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has expressed concerns, claiming that the approval process for the Empire Wind 1 project was expedited without adequate evaluation. Burgum’s statements suggest a broader critique of the current administration’s approach to renewable energy project approvals.

This decision represents a substantial setback for the wind energy sector in the United States, which has been notably supported by former President Biden. In contrast, the previous administration, led by Donald Trump, had been critical of wind energy development, with Trump specifically targeting initiatives aimed at expanding this renewable resource.

Shortly after assuming office again, Trump enacted a series of executive measures impacting the wind industry, including a moratorium on federal permits and financing for offshore and onshore wind projects. He famously criticized wind farms, describing them dismissively as “big, ugly windmills” that pose risks to wildlife.

Kathy Hochul, the Governor of New York and a member of the Democratic party, has labeled the halt on Empire Wind 1 as an example of “federal overreach,” vowing to oppose it vigorously.

Equinor, the Norwegian firm spearheading the Empire Wind initiative, acknowledged the halt in construction, emphasizing that they would seek clarification from the administration regarding the reasoning behind the order given that all necessary permits had been obtained prior to this development.

The federal government had awarded Equinor a lease for the project in 2017. According to Equinor’s official statements, the construction of Empire Wind 1 was intended to deliver up to 810 megawatts of energy to Brooklyn.

Notably, Trump has previously suggested, without substantiation, that the presence of wind turbines contributes to the death of whales. Additionally, before his presidency, he unsuccessfully tried to block a wind farm project located near his golf course in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Source
www.bbc.com