Trump Administration cites radar clutter in putting new pause on offshore wind projects

In another assault on the U.S. offshore wind industry, the Department of the Interior announced today that it is pausing—effective immediately—the leases for all large-scale offshore wind projects under construction in the United States “due to national security risks identified by the Department of War in recently completed classified reports.” Those risks, it seems, relate to radar clutter.

“As for the national security risks inherent to large-scale offshore wind projects, unclassified reports from the U.S. Government have long found that the movement of massive turbine blades and the highly reflective towers create radar interference called ‘clutter,’ “ says the Department. “The clutter caused by offshore wind projects obscures legitimate moving targets and generates false targets in the vicinity of the wind projects.

“This pause,” Interior said, “will give the Department, along with the Department of War and other relevant government agencies, time to work with leaseholders and state partners to assess the possibility of mitigating the national security risks posed by these projects.

The Department of Energy in a 2024 report stated that a radar’s threshold for false alarm detection can be increased to reduce some clutter, but an increased detection threshold could cause the radar to “miss actual targets.”

“The prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “Today’s action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies, and the vulnerabilities created by large-scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers. The Trump administration will always prioritize the security of the American people.”

The following leases are paused:

• Vineyard Wind 1 (OCS-A 0501)
• Revolution Wind (OCS-A 0486)
• CVOW – Commercial (OCS-A 0483)
• Sunrise Wind (OCS-A 0487)
• Empire Wind 1 (OCS-A 0512)

NOIA URGES PROMPT END TO PAUSE

National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) President Erik Milito issued the following statement regarding the pausing of construction of offshore wind projects:

“NOIA urges the administration to move promptly, in collaboration with the industry, to end the pause on construction of offshore wind projects for potential national security concerns. The regulatory process involves a rigorous framework for assessing the national security implications of proposed projects, and every project under construction has already undergone review by the Department of Defense with no objections. The process, as required by law, provides a timely, transparent, and repeatable process to evaluate potential impacts and mitigation options related to offshore energy compatibility. The Department of Defense coordinates at every stage of planning, permitting, and development.

“As NOIA emphasized to the administration earlier this year, offshore wind improves our national security by shifting economic, infrastructure, and geopolitical advantages to the U.S. through increased shipbuilding, enhancements to our ports, greater energy security to power surging electricity demand, more manufacturing and good-paying jobs, additional business for the oil and gas supply chain, and collaborative opportunities for our military. In short, offshore wind helps the U.S. achieve its energy dominance goals.

“America’s offshore energy industry has put thousands of Americans to work in high-paying jobs in the construction of offshore projects that will effectively meet burgeoning demand for power throughout the northeast. Companies with roots in the oil and gas sector have committed substantial capital to participate in the build-out of our offshore wind sector. We urge the administration to end this pause and to resist taking further action that may harm jobs and investment, as well as undermine our economic and geopolitical competition with China.

NOIA cites retired Army General James “Spider” Marks, the senior intelligence officer for the 2003 liberation of Iraq and the former commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center, as underscoring the positive national security impacts of the U.S. offshore wind industry in relation to China:

“America needs a strong offshore wind energy industry in order to compete with China. According to data from Statista, China currently operates 129 offshore wind farms — the most of any country — and much higher than the four wind farms operating here in the United States. By dwarfing our domestic energy projects, China is well positioned to withstand global supply shocks and power its military growth and modernization — which will only grow unless our country makes the necessary investments.”

SECURITY CONCERNED ALREADY ADDRESSED

“The Trump Administration’s construction pause issued today on five U.S. offshore wind projects set to deliver nearly 6 GW of much-needed power is another veiled attempt to hide the fact that the President doesn’t like offshore wind – a well-documented preference that is increasing energy costs for millions of Americans, deterring U.S investment, and putting thousands out of work indefinitely,” said Oceantic Network CEO Liz Burdock. “The U.S. offshore wind industry has continuously worked with the Department of Defense to address national security concerns, and its own Clearinghouse has signed off on every offshore wind lease ahead of construction. Offshore wind is delivering a more secure maritime industry, investing in shipyards and steel plants and ports to further protect our nation. The U.S. needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy, not an all-out assault on renewable energy based on personal preference.”

“This latest attack,” says Oceantic Network, “follows recent industry court victories against the administration’s attempts to slow down offshore wind. Just two weeks ago, a federal judge vacated the Administration’s previous permitting pause, ruling it unlawful. Earlier this fall, a separate judge ordered an injunction against the administration’s Stop Work order against Revolution Wind, finding it unsubstantiated. This newest claim contradicts years of rigorous, interagency reviews, as these projects have already passed explicit clearances from the Department of Defense and the Pentagon before construction began. “

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