Democrats demand Trump resume a major offshore wind project near Rhode
Island
[August 26, 2025]
By JENNIFER McDERMOTT
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (AP) — A nearly complete wind farm off the coast
of Rhode Island and Connecticut faces an uncertain future after the
Trump administration abruptly halted construction, and the states'
Democratic governors, lawmakers and union workers called Monday for the
president to reverse course.
The administration said last week that the federal government needs to
review the Revolution Wind project and address national security
concerns. It did not specify what those concerns are. The Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management declined to comment further.
Separately, the bureau is working to cancel its prior approval of a wind
farm off Maryland's coast, with plans to act no later than Sept. 12,
according to a U.S. District Court filing.
Revolution Wind's developer, Danish energy company Orsted, is evaluating
the financial impact of stopping construction and considering legal
proceedings. In addition to hampering the state's climate goals, losing
out on all that renewable power could drive up electricity prices
throughout the region, Democratic officials say.
“It’s an attack on our jobs,” Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said. “It’s an
attack on our energy. It’s an attack on our families and their ability
to pay the bills.”
McKee and the state's entire congressional delegation gathered at a
beach area in North Kingstown, near the project's logistics and
operations hub.
Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, drew applause
when he directed a message at President Donald Trump: “We’re going to
fight you every step of the way no matter how long it takes.”
Meanwhile, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and the state's U.S. senators
spoke at State Pier in New London, where components for the wind farm
are kept before being taken out to sea.
The project is 80% complete, with all the underwater foundations and 45
out of 65 turbines already installed.
North America’s Building Trades Unions said Trump “just fired 1,000 of
our members” who were working on the project.
Several people previously scheduled to go back to work on the wind farm
this week were in the audience in North Kingstown. Xiomara Lux said she
doesn’t know if she has a job now. Antonio Gianfrancesco is worried
about paying his bills and helping his family. Lucialino Gomes said this
job is the best he's had.
Tony Vaz, a rope access technician, asked the politicians to fight for
the wind farm because “we need to get out there and keep working.”
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Wind turbine components sit at New London State Pier, April 16,
2025, in New London, Conn. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island disputed the administration's
rationale for stopping the work. The Defense Department was involved
in reviewing the project, as with all offshore wind development, to
avoid conflicts with military operations and training.
“It’s not about national security. It’s about the president’s
insecurity,” said Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services
Committee.
Trump has made sweeping strides to prioritize fossil fuels and
hinder renewable energy projects. Those include reviewing wind and
solar energy permits, canceling plans to use large areas of federal
waters for new offshore wind development and stopping work on
another offshore wind project for New York, although construction
was later allowed to resume.
Large, ocean-based wind farms are the linchpin of government plans
to shift to renewable energy, particularly in East Coast states with
large populations and limited land for wind turbines or solar
arrays. Revolution Wind is expected to be Rhode Island and
Connecticut’s first large offshore wind farm, capable of powering
more than 350,000 homes. Power would be provided at a rate of 9.8
cents per kilowatt-hour, locked in for 20 years. That's cheaper than
the average cost of electricity in New England.
The project site is more than 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of the
Rhode Island coast, 32 miles (51 kilometers) southeast of the
Connecticut coast and 12 miles (19 kilometers) southwest of Martha’s
Vineyard. Rhode Island is already home to the five-turbine Block
Island Wind Farm.
The Trump administration previously stopped work on Empire Wind, the
New York offshore wind project. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said
it appeared former President Joe Biden’s administration had “rushed
through” the approvals, although the developer Equinor spent seven
years obtaining permits. Construction was allowed to resume in May
after two of the state's Democratic leaders, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer
and Gov. Kathy Hochul, intervened.
___
Associated Press writer Isabella O’Malley in Philadelphia
contributed to this report.
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