Rhode Island offshore wind project paused over security concerns

The Trump administration released a statement Monday morning, December 22, announcing an immediate pause on several major offshore wind projects along the East Coast, including Vineyard Wind off Massachusetts and Revolution Wind, which serves Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Federal officials said the pause is tied to national security concerns raised by the Pentagon, specifically regarding how large offshore wind turbines could interfere with military radar systems. The action affects five projects in total, including developments in Virginia and New York, and temporarily halts leasing and construction activity while federal agencies reassess potential risks and mitigation options.

The Interior Department, which oversees offshore wind development, will now coordinate with the Defense Department and other federal agencies during the review. Officials have cited concerns that the size and movement of turbine blades, along with reflective towers, could create radar clutter that may obscure real objects or generate false signals.

The decision comes just weeks after a federal judge struck down a Trump executive order that attempted to broadly block wind energy projects on federal lands and waters, ruling the order unlawful. Despite that ruling, the administration has continued taking steps that slow renewable energy development while prioritizing fossil fuel production.

In Rhode Island, the pause has drawn strong criticism. Revolution Wind is reported to be more than 85 percent complete, and opponents of the decision argue the project already underwent years of federal review, including consultation with the Department of Defense during the permitting process.

Clean energy advocates warn the move could delay lower-cost electricity, threaten jobs, and disrupt energy planning as demand for power continues to grow. Environmental groups say offshore wind is essential to energy independence and grid reliability, calling the pause another attempt to derail renewable energy progress.

For now, the timeline for the affected projects remains uncertain as the federal review moves forward.

Rhode Island offshore wind project.