Empire Wind, New York's $2.5 billion Offshore Eind Garm Project is back on, after the Trump (R) Administration lifted a Stop-Work Order. The Developer, the Norwegian Energy company Equinor, said Monday it was told by the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) that it could resume Construction South of Long Island. The Wind Farm is intended to provide Power for more than 500,000 New York Homes by 2026.
Work was paused last month, when Interior Secretary Doug Burgum (R) directed the BOEM to Halt Construction and Review the Permits. Burgum said at the time that it appeared Biden's (D) Administration had "rushed through" the Approvals. Equinor spent Seven years obtaining Permits and has spent more than $2.5 billion so far on a Project that is One-Third complete. Equinor President and CEO Anders Opedal thanked Trump for allowing the Project to move forward, saving about 1,500 Construction Jobs and Investments in U.S. Energy Infrastructure. He also expressed Appreciation to New York's Governor, New York City's Mayor, members of Congress and Labor Groups, as well as Norwegian Officials who worked to Save the Project. The Norwegian Government owns a Majority Stake in Equinor.
"We appreciate the fact that construction can now resume on Empire Wind, a project which underscores our commitment to deliver energy while supporting local economies and creating jobs," Opedal said in a Statement. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said it took countless Conversations with Equinor and White House Officials, and the Involvement of Labor and Business Interests, to emphasize the Project's Importance and get Empire Wind back on track. "New York's economic future is going to be powered by abundant, clean energy that helps our homes and businesses thrive. I fought to save clean energy jobs in New York — and we got it done," Hochul said in a Statement Monday.
Large Offshore Wind Farms have been makingEelectricity for Three Fecades in Europe and, more recently, in Asia. But the Industry has struggled to grow in the U.S. due to High Costs, Difficulties growing a Supply Chain for Materials and the Lengthy Permitting process.
Trump has Prioritized Fossil Fuels and moved against Rrenewable Energy since returning to the White House. One of His First Acts was Ordering a Pause of Offshore Wind Llease Sales in Federal Waters and the issuance of Approvals, Permits, and Loans, for All Wind Projects. But the Administration's Targeting of Empire Wind, a Project already well Uunderway, took that a Step Further.
White House Spokesperson Taylor Rogers (R) said in a Statement Friday that while Unleashing America's Energy Dominance, Trump "paused certain wind projects that are detrimental to our beloved wildlife including birds and whales." There are No known Links between Large Whale Deaths and ongoing Offshore Wind Activities, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). While Wind Turbines can pose a Risk to Birds, Wildlife Conservation Organizations say they support the Responsible Development of Offshore Wind because Climate Change is a bigger Threat.
Offshore Wind Farm will Benefit Long Island Economy. Lifting the Stop-Work Order is welcome news. Empire Wind will Greatly Benefit the Wconomy on Long Island and the Environment for All New Yorkers. Offshore Wind Advocates also celebrated the Decision. It's a Win for Workers, the Industry, and Companies in places like: South Carolina, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania, helping to build Projects in the Northeast, the Oceantic Network said in a Statement. Equinor said on May 9th it would be forced to Abandon Empire Wind within days, unless the Administration relented on its Order that Stopped Construction. Equinor finalized the Federal Lease in March 2017, during Trump's First Term. The federal Government Approved the Construction and Operations Plan in February 2024.
New York aims to obtain 70% of its Electricity from Renewable sources by 2030, and 9 Gigawatts of Offshore Eind by 2035. New York is getting some Wind Power from the Nation's First Commercial-Scale Offshore Wind Farm, a 12-Turbine Wind Farm called South Fork that opened a year ago, operated by different Companies East of Montauk Point, New York.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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