TRENTON, NJ – The Trump administration has ordered an immediate pause on all large-scale offshore wind projects across the United States, citing classified national security concerns identified by the Department of War, officials announced Monday.
In a statement, the Department of the Interior said the decision affects several of the nation’s most prominent wind farms currently under development, including Vineyard Wind 1, Revolution Wind, CVOW–Commercial, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind 1. The suspension will remain in place while federal agencies assess potential risks and explore mitigation strategies.
“The prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said. “Today’s action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of relevant adversary technologies and the vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects near our east coast population centers.”
According to the Interior Department, the classified assessments highlight radar interference caused by offshore turbines. The massive spinning blades and reflective towers can produce “clutter” on radar systems, potentially obscuring real targets or generating false readings.
A 2024 Department of Energy study found that increasing radar detection thresholds to compensate for such interference could cause systems to miss legitimate targets.
The pause represents one of the Trump administration’s most sweeping actions on renewable energy since returning to office, effectively freezing progress on projects central to the previous administration’s clean energy expansion goals. Federal officials said the interagency review will determine whether any projects can proceed without compromising defense capabilities.
The Interior Department emphasized that the suspension is precautionary and intended to ensure the U.S. retains full defensive awareness along critical coastal regions. No timeline has been set for when offshore wind development might resume.