Trump administration stops Rhode Island offshore wind project

Last updated Aug 23, 2025

TL/DR –

The Trump administration has halted the $1.5bn Revolution Wind Project in Rhode Island, which could have supplied electricity to about 350,000 homes. Citing concerns related to national security and interference with reasonable uses of exclusive economic zones and territorial seas, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued a stop work order to Danish company Ørsted, the project’s operator. This is the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to dismantle wind and solar projects, with a recent Congress bill heavily limiting incentives for renewable energy and the Interior Department implementing strict review processes for all such projects.

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Trump Administration Halts Rhode Island Wind Energy Project

The Trump administration has issued a directive to cease all operations of a wind energy project in Rhode Island. This project had the potential to supply electricity to up to 350,000 homes.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) delivered a letter to Ørsted, a Danish company handling the project. It detailed that the order to halt work is to address concerns about national security and to avoid any interference with reasonable uses of the exclusive economic zone, high seas, and territorial seas.

The BOEM stated in the letter, “You may not resume activities until BOEM informs you that BOEM has completed its necessary review”.

About the Revolution Wind Project

The project in question, known as the Revolution Wind Project, is a $1.5 billion plan that had been approved during President Biden’s tenure. As per Ørsted, the project is 80 percent complete and was projected to be completed by 2026.

The Trump administration’s move to halt this project is seen as the latest effort to dismantle wind and solar projects. In related actions, the Interior Department announced last month that it would conduct rigorous review processes for all wind and solar projects, affecting decisions on grants, environmental impact, and land leases.

Additionally, the administration initiated a national security probe into imports of wind turbines. The reasons for considering wind turbine imports as a national security issue remain ambiguous.

Ørsted’s Stand

Ørsted, in a statement, claimed that it was investing in American energy generation, grid upgrades, port infrastructure, and a supply chain that includes U.S. shipbuilding and manufacturing extending to more than 40 states. The company also mentioned that the Revolution Wind project was employing hundreds of local union workers, contributing to approximately 4 million labor union hours, 2 million of which were associated with Revolution Wind.

The project, approved in 2023, had a 20-year power purchase agreement. It was expected to provide electricity to several homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

The Attorney General of Connecticut, William Tong, along with 17 other AGs, had sued the administration over its attempts to curb wind projects. Ørsted is currently evaluating the potential financial implications of this development and considering multiple scenarios, including legal proceedings.

The Interior Department has yet not responded to requests for comment.

Besides Revolution Wind, Ørsted has another wind project in Rhode Island, known as South Fork. This project was also approved under the Biden administration’s clean energy transition initiative.

The Revolution Wind is the third project stalled by the Trump administration this year. Earlier, the Interior Department had reversed approvals for the Lava Ridge Wind Project in Idaho and halted the Empire 1 Wind project off the coast of Long Island, N.Y.

For the latest news and updates, visit The Hill.

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