As of April 16, 2025, the US Department of the Interior has directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to order the 810 megawatt (MW) Empire Wind 1 project to cease all construction pending further review, announced Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. [1] Burgum alleged that the project was rushed through by the previous administration without sufficient analysis, in a letter to BOEM. [2] The letter states that there was insufficient consultation among relevant agencies as relates to the potential effects from the project, and that construction will remain halted until the deficiencies are addressed. [3] Equinor, the project developer, stated that all offshore construction for the project would be safely halted, but they would engage with relevant authorities to clarify the matter and consider legal remedies. [4] According to a statement by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, D, the New York project is a fully federally permitted one which had already “put shovels in the ground” prior to the President’s executive orders. BOEM had approved Empire Wind 1’s construction and operations plan in February – a final step in the process of authorizing an offshore wind project. The only steps remaining are the lessee’s submission of a facility design report and fabrication and installation report, according to the agency.
[3] https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/statement-governor-kathy-hochul-74