Christine Ho, christine.ho@sierraclub.org
New York, NY - The Trump Administration has reversed course and lifted its stop work order on the Empire Wind project, and the project’s parent company has announced it will resume development.
In April, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum issued a stop work order on the Empire Wind project, threatening over 1,000 stable jobs in the region and half a million homes that would have been powered by clean, renewable energy.
Last week Aurora Energy Research released a new report, Meeting New York’s Energy Needs: Reliability & Offshore Wind, which highlights the urgent need for offshore wind in downstate New York.
In response, Sierra Club Senior Advisor for Offshore Wind Nancy Pyne issued the following statement:
“This announcement is proof that when we come together, we can stop attacks on our air and water. Thanks to the tireless advocacy from Governor Hochul, federal representatives, our ally organizations, and Sierra Club’s staff and volunteers in New York, the administration has decided to reverse its harmful and short-sighted strike against Empire Wind. As the project resumes, we urge Governor Hochul to continue supporting its development until the turbines are spinning and the project is complete.
“Offshore wind is responsible for creating thousands of jobs across the U.S., powering homes with clean energy, and bolstering our nation’s energy independence. The Trump Administration’s ban on wind energy is nothing short of sabotage—as they try to kneecap renewable energy to throw a desperate lifeline to the fossil fuel industry. If the administration is serious about achieving energy dominance, they must reverse their ban on wind energy.”
Sierra Club’s New York Senior Campaign Organizer Allyson Samuell added:
“It’s great to see offshore wind development back on track in New York.This energy infrastructure is crucial for meeting our growing energy needs, protecting public health and achieving our climate goals. New York City and Long Island face rising energy reliability challenges driven by limited transmission infrastructure, fast-growing demand, and aging gas infrastructure.
“Offshore wind is the only new capacity source on track for near-term deployment in our major population centers. New Yorkers shouldn’t be forced to live next to dirty gas plants when a clean energy solution is readily available right off of the coast. Scaling offshore wind could lower the state’s social cost of carbon by up to $1 billion annually by 2040, supporting New York’s broader decarbonization and economic goals.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.