The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, through the Department of the Interior, has ordered the immediate suspension of all construction activities for the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind energy project, developed by Empire Offshore Wind LLC, a company owned by Equinor.

The decision was officially communicated on April 16 by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to the General Counsel, Equinor Wind US LLC, Matthew Brotmann. The letter notified the company of its obligation to halt operations on the outer continental shelf until a new environmental review is completed. The order stems from feedback received, including from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as part of a broader federal reassessment of offshore wind projects.

Source: BOEM

Equinor confirmed it has begun implementing procedures to safely suspend all marine activities related to the project, ensuring the protection of both its workers and the environment. Empire Wind 1 had already secured all necessary federal and state permits and was in an active construction phase.

With an investment of over $2.5 billion as of March 31, 2025, and project financing totaling $1.5 billion, Empire Wind 1 is designed to generate electricity for approximately 500,000 New York homes. It has also created over 1,500 jobs in the U.S., including 1,000 union jobs in New York.

Political and industry reactions

New York Governor Kathy Hochul reacted strongly to the federal decision:

“I will not allow this federal overreach to put union jobs, affordable energy, and New York’s economic future at risk. Empire Wind 1 represents exactly the kind of bipartisan energy solution we should be working toward.”

From the industry, the American Clean Power Association (ACP) also criticized the move. Its CEO, Jason Grumet, stated:

“Halting construction of fully authorized energy projects sends a chilling message to investors. It’s a serious setback for the country’s energy security.”

Legal context and uncertain future

Equinor, through its U.S. subsidiary, is evaluating legal actions, including the possibility of formally appealing the order under federal regulations. If the project is fully canceled, the company could be required to pay early termination penalties to its suppliers.

The suspension will be disclosed as a “subsequent event” in Equinor’s Q1 2025 financial report.