Trump Administration Resumes Construction on $5 Billion Empire Wind Project

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Trump Administration Resumes Construction on $5 Billion Empire Wind Project

6 months ago

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Trump Administration Resumes Construction on $5 Billion Empire Wind Project

Credited from: REUTERS

The Trump administration lifted a halt on the $5 billion Empire Wind project off New York's coast.
The decision is expected to save 1,500 jobs and support local economies.
Construction of the project is 30% complete, with plans to power 500,000 New York homes.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul played a key role in resuming construction amidst political negotiations.
The project, developed by Equinor, faced a temporary stop due to environmental concerns raised by the Biden administration.

The Trump administration has reversed a previous stop-work order on the Empire Wind project, allowing construction to resume. The $5 billion offshore wind facility, being developed by Norwegian company Equinor, is located 15 to 30 miles off the coast of Long Island and has the potential to provide power for half a million New York homes, according to Reuters, New York Times, Newsweek, and ABC News.

Reuters and New York Times.

Equinor had previously announced that the stop-work order jeopardized the employment of 1,500 workers engaged at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal. The project had already been permitted after a thorough federal environmental review, and construction was reported to be approximately 30% complete, according to Newsweek and ABC News.

The halt initiated by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum raised concerns about the environmental assessment under the Biden administration, with previous approvals having been made based on significant analysis. The resumption of the Empire Wind project aligns with a broader push towards renewable energy, deemed vital for New York’s future energy strategy, according to Reuters, New York Times, Newsweek, and ABC News.

Equinor’s CEO, Anders Opedal, expressed appreciation for the government's decision, highlighting the essential nature of the project for American jobs and energy investments. The ambitious plan is expected to significantly aid in the transition towards more renewable energy sources and bolster economic growth for the region, according to Reuters, New York Times, Newsweek, and ABC News.