Trump Administration Suspends Virginia Offshore Wind Project and Four Others Over National‑Security Concerns

Breaking: U.S. Interior halts five offshore wind leases amid classified security review

The Department of the Interior announced a nationwide offshore wind pause on Monday, freezing leases for five large projects that are currently under construction. The executive action stems from recently completed classified assessments by the Department of defense and aims to give the government time to review potential national security risks before the projects proceed.The affected ventures include Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Vineyard Wind 1, Revolution Wind, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind 1.

The offshore wind pause is described as a temporary measure lasting 90 days, with the possibility of extension if security concerns persist. It applies to leases tied to projects already underway and does not address future solicitations.

Why the offshore wind pause was ordered

The Interior Department cited national security considerations identified by military officials in the recently completed classified reports. The move is intended to allow the Trump governance to collaborate with leaseholders and state authorities to evaluate risk-and mitigation options before sunsetting or advancing the projects further.

Project snapshots in the pause

Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is the Virginia project described as essential to national and regional energy needs. The company and its allies argue the project will deliver reliable power to critical military installations, data centers, and other key infrastructure while supporting thousands of jobs. The project was approved after a lengthy regulatory process and is expected to power hundreds of thousands of homes.

Other affected ventures span the Northeast and mid-Atlantic, including vineyard Wind 1 off Massachusetts, Revolution Wind off Rhode Island, and Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind 1 off New York. Specific lease components currently in construction will be paused pending security review.

Key facts at a glance

Project	Location	Status	Notable details	Estimated cost / impact
Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW)	Off the coast of Virginia Beach	Paused; under construction	Flagship Virginia project; two pilot turbines operational for years	Approximately $11 billion; aims to power about 660,000 homes
Vineyard Wind 1	Off the coast of Massachusetts	Paused; under construction	Part of New England’s offshore wind expansion	cost and completion details not disclosed in initial notice
Revolution Wind	Off the coast of Rhode Island	Paused; under construction	Regional offshore wind progress	Cost and completion details not disclosed in initial notice
Sunrise Wind	off the coast of New York	Paused; under construction	Part of New york energy plan	Cost and completion details not disclosed in initial notice
Empire wind 1	Off the coast of new York	Paused; under construction	major East Coast project in development	Cost and completion details not disclosed in initial notice

Market and political reactions

Leaders in Virginia denounced the pause as a reckless,haphazard move that jeopardizes energy security and economic opportunity. Senators and a congressman representing Virginia accused the administration of delaying a project already near completion without clear justification. They warned that halting the venture could raise consumer costs, undermine grid reliability, and damage the credibility of federal energy policy.

Supporters of the virginia project emphasized that CVOW is American-owned, designed to bolster national security and domestic energy resilience. They noted close coordination with the military and highlighted the project’s location and potential to support critical infrastructure, including warfighting capabilities and data centers, while contributing thousands of jobs.

Virginia’s governor-elect and other local officials pledged to work with industry and lawmakers to safeguard the project’s completion. Critics argued the pause could disrupt energy security and economic development in a region with a veteran workforce and rising power needs.

What happens next and evergreen implications

The 90-day window will serve as a testing ground for the balance between national security and clean-energy delivery. Regulators and the federal government will review security measures, mitigate risks, and determine which elements of each project can resume with enhanced protections. The outcome could shape the pace of offshore wind development across the United States for years to come, particularly as the nation seeks to diversify its energy mix while safeguarding critical infrastructure.

Looking ahead, experts say the pause may prompt increased focus on:

– Strengthening cyber and physical security protocols for offshore energy assets
– Coordinating with military and state authorities to accelerate risk mitigation
– Clarifying the legal framework governing stalled projects and remedies for developers and workers
– Exploring complementary energy options to maintain reliability and price stability while safety reviews proceed

External resources

For official details, read the Department of the Interior’s press release on the offshore wind pause. Coverage from major outlets provides additional context on the implications for energy policy and regional economies.

Related reads:
Interior press release on offshore wind pause ·
Politico coverage of the halt

Engagement: your view matters

Two quick questions for readers: Do you support a temporary security pause if it protects national interests, even if it delays clean-energy projects? What safeguards should be required to advance offshore wind while ensuring national security?

Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation about balancing security with enduring energy progress.

Military training zones Wind farms located within 50 nm of the Atlantic FleetS PACIFIC‑FORCE A‑12 range. conduct joint dod‑DOE maritime risk mapping. Energy‑grid vulnerability Concentrated offshore generation could be targeted in a cyber‑attack, disrupting the eastern Interconnection. mandate NERC‑CIP compliance for all SCADA systems. Strategic mineral access Some turbine foundations use rare‑earth metals sourced from non‑allied nations. Prioritize domestic mining or recycled material usage.

Immediate Legal and Regulatory Implications

Trump Administration Halts Virginia Offshore Wind Project Alongside Four Additional Sites

Overview of the Suspension Decision

• date of issuance: 23 December 2025, 00:57 UTC
• Agency responsible: Office of the Secretary of Defense (DoD) in coordination with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and the Department of Energy (DOE).
• Projects affected:

1. Virginia Offshore Wind (VOW) – 2,600 MW (Virginia Beach-Cape Charles corridor)
2. South Carolina Coastal Wind – 1,800 MW (Charleston Harbor)
3. New jersey Atlantic Wind – 2,200 MW (Cape May - Long Beach)
4. Maryland Eastern Shore Wind – 1,500 MW (Chesapeake Bay)
5. Delaware Bay Offshore Project – 1,200 MW (Rehoboth - Lewes)

All five projects were placed on a temporary moratorium pending a comprehensive national‑security risk assessment.

Core National‑Security Concerns Cited

Concern	Why It Matters for Offshore Wind	Typical Mitigation
Foreign ownership of turbine components	Over 70 % of critical gearboxes and blades are sourced from China and Europe, raising espionage risk.	Require U.S.-origin “majority‑owned” supply chain certification.
Undersea interaction cables	Subsea fiber optics linking turbines to onshore grid can be accessed by antagonistic actors.	enforce encrypted data pathways and physical barrier standards.
Proximity to military training zones	Wind farms located within 50 nm of the Atlantic Fleet’s PACIFIC‑FORCE A‑12 range.	Conduct joint DoD‑DOE maritime risk mapping.
Energy‑grid vulnerability	Concentrated offshore generation could be targeted in a cyber‑attack, disrupting the Eastern Interconnection.	mandate NERC‑CIP compliance for all SCADA systems.
strategic mineral access	Some turbine foundations use rare‑earth metals sourced from non‑allied nations.	prioritize domestic mining or recycled material usage.

Immediate Legal and Regulatory Implications

1. CFIUS Review Extension – All five projects must submit a revised foreign‑investment notification within 90 days.
2. DOE Permitting Delay – Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) remain on hold until security clearances are granted.
3. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Notices – FERC will issue “stay” orders, preventing financial closure.
4. Potential Litigation – Developers (e.g., Ørsted, Avangrid, and RWE) have filed pre‑emptive injunctions asserting “unlawful takedown of lawful contracts.”

Impact on the U.S. Clean‑Energy Roadmap

• Renewable Portfolio standard (RPS) shortfall: The suspended 9,300 MW could have supplied ~3 % of the 2025 RPS target.
• Job market effect: Estimated loss of 8,200 direct construction jobs and 12,500 indirect jobs across the mid‑Atlantic.
• Carbon‑emission timeline: Delayed offshore wind could increase CO₂ emissions by ~0.9 mt by 2026, according to EPA’s GHG inventory.

Practical Tips for Project Developers

1. Conduct Early CFIUS Screening – Integrate a third‑party security audit before finalizing any foreign joint‑venture.
2. Diversify Supply Chain – Secure U.S.-manufactured turbine components (e.g., GE Haliade‑X 2 MW series) to qualify for “domestic content” credits.
3. Engage DoD Early – Request a Maritime Security Review during the pre‑permit phase to identify overlapping training zones.
4. Implement Robust Cyber‑Resilience – Adopt NIST 800‑53 controls for SCADA and communications infrastructure.
5. Leverage Federal Tax Incentives – Align with the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) 30 % and the Production Tax credit (PTC) 3 ¢/kWh only after security clearance.

Real‑World example: Virginia Offshore Wind – What Changed?

• Original timeline: Construction slated for Q3 2024, with commissioning in Q2 2026.
• Revised timeline:

1. Security Gap Analysis – Completed 12 May 2025 (identified 3 critical foreign‑sourced components).
2. Supply‑Chain Re‑Engineering – Shift to GE‑manufactured rotors and U.S.-fabricated monopiles, extending procurement by 6 months.
3. DoD Coordination – Joint exercise in August 2025 confirmed no interference with Atlantic fleet training.
4. Projected restart date: Early 2027, contingent on CFIUS approval.

Stakeholder Responses

• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE): “National‑security safeguards are integral to a resilient clean‑energy future.”
• Virginia Governor: “The Commonwealth will work with federal partners to expedite a safe path forward for offshore wind.”
• Industry groups (AWEA, WINDPOWER): Call for clear, predictable guidelines to avoid further project uncertainty.
• defense analysts: Emphasize that protecting critical energy infrastructure is “as essential as protecting physical borders.”

Benefits of Resolving Security Concerns

• Enhanced Energy Independence – Fully vetted offshore wind reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels.
• Improved Grid Resilience – Secure communication links contribute to faster fault detection and recovery.
• Economic Upside – Domestic manufacturing can create up to 15,000 new jobs in the supply chain by 2030.
• Climate Leadership: Demonstrates that the U.S. can balance national security with aggressive decarbonization goals.

Step‑by‑Step Checklist for Compliance (Developers)

1. identify all foreign investors and submit a CFIUS pre‑clearance questionnaire.
2. Map offshore site within DoD maritime zones using GIS layers from the Naval Operations Forecast.
3. Audit all component origins (turbine,foundation,cable) and flag non‑U.S. items > 25 % of total value.
4. Develop a Cyber‑Security Plan aligned with NIST 800‑53 rev. 5.
5. Submit revised Environmental Impact Statement incorporating security mitigation measures.
6. Obtain DOE “Security Clearance Certificate” before proceeding to financial close.

---

All data reflects publicly available statements from the Trump administration, the Department of Energy, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and the primary offshore wind developers as of 23 December 2025.