A sudden federal halt on offshore wind caught Gov. Kathy Hochul off guard and furious, according to Spectrum News 1. Hochul said she learned during a Capitol news conference that the Trump administration paused all major offshore wind projects, including Empire Wind 1.
Hochul warned the move threatens power for 500,000 homes, raises energy costs, and puts union jobs at risk just before Christmas. She rejected the administration’s national security explanation, arguing offshore wind strengthens U.S. energy independence.
The Trump administration says it needs time to assess security risks tied to offshore projects. Clean energy advocates and labor groups slammed the pause, calling it harmful to workers and investor confidence. State energy officials say New York will push to restart construction.
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