The Department of the Interior has announced an immediate pause on leases for all large-scale offshore wind projects currently under construction in the United States. The decision comes after the Department of War identified national security risks in recently completed classified reports.
According to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, “The prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people. Today’s action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies, and the vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers. The Trump administration will always prioritize the security of the American people.”
The affected leases include Vineyard Wind 1 (OCS-A 0501), Revolution Wind (OCS-A 0486), CVOW – Commercial (OCS-A 0483), Sunrise Wind (OCS-A 0487), and Empire Wind 1 (OCS-A 0512).
Unclassified government reports have noted that large offshore wind turbines can interfere with radar systems. The movement of turbine blades and reflective towers can create what is known as “clutter,” which may obscure legitimate moving targets or generate false targets near these installations.
A report from the Department of Energy in 2024 indicated that while increasing a radar’s threshold for false alarm detection might reduce clutter, it could also result in missing actual targets.
Officials say this pause will allow time for federal agencies to work with leaseholders and state partners to assess ways to mitigate these national security concerns.
“This action ensures that national security risks posed by offshore wind projects are appropriately addressed and that the United States government retains its ability to effectively defend the American people,” according to today’s announcement.
