New York Governor Vows to Fight Federal Decision on Empire Wind 1 Offshore Wind Project
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has taken a firm stance against the recent federal decision to halt all construction for the Empire Wind 1 offshore wind project. The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) ordered a stop to Equinor’s Empire Wind project off the coast of New York, citing insufficient environmental analysis conducted by the Biden administration.
The Empire Wind project, which was approved by the Biden administration in November 2023 and commenced construction in 2024, has been a significant investment in renewable energy for the state. The developer, Equinor, secured a financing package of over $3 billion for the project at the end of December 2025.
Governor Hochul expressed her determination to defend the project and the jobs it has created, stating, “Empire Wind 1 is already employing hundreds of New Yorkers, including 1,000 good-paying union jobs. It is a key component of our efforts to make energy more affordable, reliable, and abundant in New York. I will not allow this federal overreach to stand and will fight to protect union jobs, affordable energy, and New York’s economic future.”
Project Details and Response
The Empire Wind lease was awarded to Equinor in 2017 and is being developed in two phases: Empire Wind 1 with a contracted capacity of 810 MW, and Empire Wind 2 with a potential capacity of over 1,200 MW. In June 2024, Equinor signed a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for Empire Wind 1 power for 25 years.
The American Clean Power Association (ACP) criticized the DOI decision, calling it ‘bad policy’ and emphasizing the importance of streamlined permitting for energy projects. ACP’s CEO, Jason Grumet, stated, “Halting construction of fully permitted energy projects is the literal opposite of an energy abundance agenda. These political reversals are bad policy and send a chilling signal to energy investment.”
Empire Wind 1, located southeast of Long Island, spans 80,000 acres and will be the first offshore wind project to connect to the New York City grid. To support the project, the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT) is being transformed into a world-class offshore wind hub and will serve as the operations and maintenance hub for Empire Wind 1.
In conclusion, the fight to resume construction on the Empire Wind 1 project reflects the broader challenges and opportunities in transitioning to renewable energy sources. Governor Hochul’s commitment to defending the project highlights the importance of sustainable energy development for New York’s future.