The U.S. Department of the Interior has directed the U.S. Bureau of Energy Management to immediately halt all construction activities on Empire Wind I Project, a New York State offshore wind project.
In an April 16 post on X, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the halt to all construction activities will remain in place “until further review of information that suggests the Biden administration rushed through its approval without sufficient analysis.”
“As Governor, I will not allow this federal overreach to stand,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in response to the news. “I will fight this every step of the way to protect union jobs, affordable energy and New York’s economic future.”
Equinor is developing the Empire Wind project as two parts, Empire Wind 1 and Empire Wind 2.
The Empire Wind 1 project was selected as a winner in New York’s fourth offshore wind solicitation (NY4) to deliver 810 MW of power to New York. Empire Wind 2, which can potentially generate 1,260 MW of electricity, will continue to be matured in anticipation of future solicitations, Equinor says on its website.
Equinor in 2024 announced the execution of a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the renewable power generated by the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project.
