After a month-long pause that alarmed environmentalists and clean energy advocates, the Trump administration has lifted a stop-work order on the $5 billion Empire Wind project, a massive offshore wind farm off the coast of New York. The decision follows the intense negotiations between New York Governor Kathy Hochul and President Trump, including three extended phone calls in recent weeks.

The Empire Wind project, spearheaded by Norwegian energy firm Equinor, is slated to begin operations in 2027. It is expected to provide enough electricity to power half a million homes, while creating 1,500 local jobs. The project had been on hold as part of President Trump’s renewed effort in his second term to roll back support for renewable energy in favor of fossil fuels. The April 16 stop-work order, issued by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, sent shockwaves through the offshore wind industry.

Despite this, the reversal appears to be part of a broader political trade-off. In exchange for allowing Empire Wind to resume, the Trump administration secured New York’s agreement to move forward with additional natural gas pipeline capacity, potentially reviving a controversial pipeline project from Pennsylvania that was previously blocked on environmental grounds.

This summary is based on original reporting by The Guardian, “Trump administration to allow work to continue on $5bn New York wind farm” (May 20, 2025).

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