The Trump Administration recently issued a stop work order on a large-scale offshore wind project known as Revolution Wind. With 80% of construction complete, the project is well on its way toward supplying 350,000 Connecticut and Rhode Island homes with a substantial new source of power just as growing demand from AI, data centers, and our electrifying economy pushes Americans’ electricity bills higher. This project is both necessary and affordable.
The Department of the Interior’s abrupt order to cease work cites the need to address “concerns related to the protection of the national security interests of the United States.” This is a baseless and false narrative. As a former Naval Officer, my own assessment of the situation suggests that our national security interests would be best served by completing this project, and others like it, whether offshore wind, natural gas, or other large-scale sources of energy.
CT lawmakers make case for continuing work on halted wind project, calling Trump decision ‘dumb’
While the project affects Connecticut and Rhode Island directly, the government’s order has national implications. As America seeks to lead the world in AI, cryptocurrency and other new digital economy drivers, doing so requires massive amounts of electricity. Experts foresee growing power demand power for years to come. Abruptly halting a significant new power project runs counter to these realities, eroding our ability to generate homegrown energy. That limits our options and undermines U.S. energy security. It runs counter to basic economics as well.
As the Administration is aware, rising demand pushes prices higher until power supplies increase. Yet Interior’s actions undercut those supplies, leaving rising demand unfulfilled while diminishing America’s hard-earned reputation as a safe destination for investment. For over a century, U.S. capitalism has inspired innovation, attracted new businesses, and improved its citizens’ quality of life. Clear regulations and adherence to the rule of law lie at the heart of that success, underpinning the strength and durability of our economy. Thinly explained government directives halting billion-dollar energy projects in their tracks—the second such occurrence since President Trump took office—stretch the credibility of our rules-based economy.
In announcing the recent stop-work order, a government spokesperson omitted any specifics regarding national security risks in favor of labeling offshore wind projects “costly failures.” The next day, the Administration signaled it would pull approved permits from a Maryland offshore wind project—this just days after the Commerce Department launched an investigation into the national security implications of offshore wind components that are imported, though most come from Europe, the UK and Canada. In most national security contexts, our energy needs guide and shape the sustainability of our global power. Our nation’s energy infrastructure must utilize a mix of resources to weather different geopolitical cycles, just as our military prioritizes access to quick and efficient energy sources anywhere in the world to ensure readiness. Creating more options makes us stronger, which is why true energy dominance encompasses a broad mix of sources.
America’s allies and strategic competitors alike use offshore wind technology to their economic advantage. Offshore wind powers 15 million homes in Europe and the United Kingdom; even China reportedly has 247 GWs in the pipeline as it moves to capture the power potential of its Pacific coastline. Offshore wind works right here at home too; according to the Long Island Power Authority, America’s first active large-scale offshore wind farm generates power with a capacity factor of 53%, on par with the track record of reliable baseload sources like natural gas.
The Trump Administration has been unapologetic about its desire to pursue “energy dominance” on behalf of the United States. Yet its resistance to deploying offshore wind and other renewable energy is actually what endangers our national security. A technology neutral energy policy that maximizes available resources—coupled with a return to regulatory predictability and government transparency—would do far more to bolster U.S. national security and ultimately meet the administration’s own economic goals.
Commander Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret), was in command of the USS Cole when it was attacked by al Qaeda terrorists in October 2000. He is a well-known analyst who has written and spoken extensively on national security and energy issues.
