On August 22, 2025, the Trump administration delivered a dramatic jolt to the U.S. offshore wind industry, ordering an immediate halt to construction on the nearly finished Revolution Wind project off the coast of Rhode Island. The move, announced by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), left the project's developer, Denmark's Ørsted, scrambling to assess its options and sent shockwaves through the renewable energy sector, state governments, and environmental advocates alike.
The Revolution Wind project was no small undertaking. Backed by a $4 billion investment, the wind farm was already about 80% complete, with 45 of its 65 planned turbines installed and all offshore foundations in place, according to Bloomberg. Construction had begun in 2023 after years of federal and state reviews, and the project was slated to be fully operational by 2026. Its location—more than 15 miles south of Rhode Island, 32 miles southeast of Connecticut, and 12 miles southwest of Martha’s Vineyard—was chosen to maximize wind resources and minimize conflicts with other ocean uses.
Once online, Revolution Wind was expected to deliver 400 megawatts of electricity to Rhode Island and 304 megawatts to Connecticut, enough to power more than 350,000 homes across the two states, as reported by CleanTechnica. This was a crucial contribution, given that both Rhode Island and Connecticut are densely populated and have little available land for large-scale renewable projects. Offshore wind, proponents argue, is essential for these states to meet their ambitious climate and energy goals.
Yet, despite its advanced stage and years of permitting hurdles cleared, the project now finds itself in limbo. The official reason for the halt, according to the BOEM order, is the need to "address concerns related to the protection of national security interests of the United States." The agency did not specify what those concerns are, leaving stakeholders in the dark and fueling speculation about the true motivations behind the decision.
Ørsted, for its part, has complied with the stop-work order and is "taking appropriate steps to stop offshore activities, ensuring the safety of workers and the environment," as stated in its August 22 press release. The company is also "evaluating all options to resolve the matter expeditiously," including legal proceedings and engagement with permitting agencies, according to statements cited by Bloomberg and Seeking Alpha.
The response from state officials was swift and pointed. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee and Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont both condemned the decision and vowed to pursue every avenue to reverse it. Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal called the halt "a major setback for a critical project in Connecticut," adding, "I will fight it." Connecticut Attorney General William Tong said the state was "evaluating all legal options to protect Connecticut’s interests," and has joined a coalition of 19 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over what they describe as an unlawful attempt to freeze the development of wind energy, according to CleanTechnica. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha echoed this sentiment, stating, "With the significant investments made in this project already and its obvious benefit to our economy and climate, the Trump Administration’s attempt to halt it can only be characterized as bizarre."
The decision also drew fire from environmentalists and clean energy advocates. Christian Roselund, clean energy policy analyst and "Yes to Wind" team leader at Climate Action RI, said in a social media post, "Revolution Wind is essential not only for our work to mitigate the climate crisis, but Rhode Island’s energy and economic future." Liz Burdock, CEO of Oceantic Network, warned, "This dramatic action further erodes investor confidence in the US market across all industries and undermines progress on shared national priorities—shipyard revitalization, steel and port investments, and energy dominance."
But not everyone was disappointed. Green Oceans, a nonprofit that opposes the offshore wind industry, applauded the BOEM's decision, stating, "We are grateful that the Trump Administration and the federal government are taking meaningful action to preserve the fragile ocean environment off the coasts of Rhode Island and Massachusetts." The administration’s critics, however, argue that the move is less about environmental protection and more about a broader campaign to undermine renewable energy in favor of fossil fuels.
President Donald Trump has made no secret of his hostility toward wind and solar power. In an August 2025 post on his Truth Social platform, he called them "THE SCAM OF THE CENTURY!" and vowed not to approve wind or "farmer destroying Solar" projects, declaring, "The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!!" According to CleanTechnica, the Department of the Interior's deputy press secretary, Aubrie Spady, reinforced this message, stating, "Americans deserve energy that is affordable, reliable, and built to last—not experimental and expensive wind projects that are proven failures. In line with President Donald Trump’s Energy Dominance Agenda, Interior is putting an immediate stop to these costly failures to deliver a stronger energy future and lower costs for American families."
Industry experts and scientists, however, see things differently. Wind power is currently the largest source of renewable energy in the United States, providing about 10% of the nation’s electricity, according to the Associated Press. Scientists worldwide agree that a rapid embrace of renewable energy is necessary to stave off the worst effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and catastrophic flooding. Kit Kennedy, managing director for the power division at the Natural Resources Defense Council, criticized the administration’s approach, saying, "This administration has it exactly backwards. It’s trying to prop up clunky, polluting coal plants while doing all it can to halt the fastest growing energy sources of the future—solar and wind power. Unfortunately, every American is paying the price for these misguided decisions."
The halt to Revolution Wind is not an isolated incident. Earlier this year, the Trump administration stopped work on Empire Wind, a major offshore wind project off the coast of New York, though construction was later allowed to resume after political intervention and a deal to open new gas pipelines, as reported by Bloomberg. Other offshore wind projects still under construction include Sunrise Wind in New York, Vineyard Wind in Massachusetts, and the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, but the future of these ventures remains uncertain as the administration continues to review and, in some cases, reverse approvals for renewable energy initiatives.
The sudden policy shift has rattled investors and cast doubt on the future of U.S. offshore wind. Ørsted has already seen its share price drop and its credit downgraded, forcing it to launch a highly dilutive rights offering to fund other U.S. projects. The company is now evaluating the financial implications of the Revolution Wind halt and has pledged to advise the market on any impact of the order, according to Bloomberg.
As the debate over the nation’s energy future intensifies, the fate of Revolution Wind hangs in the balance. The outcome will not only determine the trajectory of a single project but could also set the tone for the entire U.S. offshore wind industry in the years to come.
