In response to the Trump administration’s decision to halt offshore wind development and review existing projects like Empire Wind, Environmental Advocates NY executive director Vanessa Fajans-Turner issued the following statement:
President Trump is trying to kill offshore wind before it can even get off the ground. His sweeping halt on new wind leases, the freeze on permits, and the review of active projects—like Empire Wind—are part of a coordinated attack on climate action, affordable energy, and good union jobs.
This isn’t about cost. It’s not about permitting. It’s about politics. It’s about protecting fossil fuel profits and dragging us back to a time before we had any meaningful environmental protections or a plan to confront the climate crisis.
Offshore wind isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. Empire Wind has already broken ground. It has a $3 billion financial close. Thousands of union jobs and billions in economic investment are on the line—not to mention the public health and climate benefits of replacing fossil fuels with clean power.
Governor Hochul is right to push back on this dangerous federal overreach. But words are not enough.
We need bold, coordinated action from Albany to defend offshore wind, keep projects on track, and send a clear message: New York’s clean energy future will not be dictated by polluters—or by politicians who deny the science.
