Goldman Reiterates Demand for Briefing From Trump Administration on Halting of Offshore Winds Projects

 

Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Dan Goldman (NY-10) is reiterating his demand that the Trump Administration provide answers about its decision to pause leases for five large scale offshore wind projects currently under construction, including the Empire Wind 1 project in New York. The administration cited national security concerns as the rationale for the pause; in December, Rep. Goldman demanded a classified hearing detailing these concerns by the week of January 5th. As of today, neither the Department of Interior (DOI) nor the Department of Defense (DOD) has scheduled a briefing or provided access to the classified materials. While a judge today granted a preliminary injunction that allows construction on the project to continue, the threat to the project still remains. The Trump administration has made clear it will use any means necessary, including citing national security risks, to prevent offshore wind projects like Empire Wind 1 from being completed.

 

Rep. Goldman today sent a second letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth again demanding a classified briefing explaining the decision to delay the project. 

 

“Even though the project is well on its way towards completion, these funds have now been unnecessarily put at risk as the result of the Administration's inexplicable refusal to work with my office to develop a strategy to mitigate these newly-discovered national security concerns so that construction may continue. Every day the project is on hold threatens the loss of thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in wages. For an Administration that is concerned with fiscal responsibility and reducing waste, this decision is breathtakingly short-sighted,” wrote Rep. Goldman. 

 

“In light of both DOD’s prior approval of the Empire Wind 1 project site and the mitigation agreement DOD entered into with Equinor to address previously raised concerns, it is almost incomprehensible that newly-discovered classified information would come to light overriding all previous analysis done by the Department,” Rep. Goldman continued. “As such, I am again reiterating my request for both access to the classified materials cited by the Department of the Interior in its press release pausing Empire Wind 1’s lease, as well as a briefing with the relevant officials from both the Departments of Defense and Interior. If these national security concerns are as serious as you have alleged, Congress has a compelling need to know as soon as possible and your departments need not avoid transparency.” 

 

Rep. Goldman has consistently pushed back against the Trump Administration’s reckless renewable energy policies, and his efforts were central to the administration lifting its stop work order against Empire 1 when it was previously arbitrarily targeted by President Trump earlier this year. Rep. Goldman also helped lead opposition to the approval of a new fracked natural gas pipeline in New York harbor, which would endanger marine ecosystems, threaten public health, and undermine New York’s landmark climate goals. 

 

The Empire Wind 1 project is an economic driver for the state of New York; it has helped create over 4,000 jobs and is expected to generate enough electricity to power an estimated 500,000 homes. The project plans to invest close to $5 billion in New York over its lifetime, and approximately $2 billion in 2026 alone. This includes $1.3 billion to build out New York’s supply chains, including critical port infrastructure, and $27 million for community and workforce development programs. It will also provide $890 million to be invested in surrounding communities. 

 

 

Dear Secretary Burgum and Secretary Hegseth: 

 

I write to you once again to request access to the classified documents cited by the Department of Interior as the rationale for stopping work on five ongoing offshore wind projects, which have invested $25 billion in the American economy, created more than 10,000 jobs, and would power an estimated 2.5 million homes. On December 23, 2025, I previously wrote to you to request access to the documents referenced in the Department of Interior’s press release announcing the pause, as well as a classified briefing with both the Departments of Interior and Defense to discuss these materials during the week of January 5, 2026. As of today, neither the Department of Interior (DOI) nor the Department of Defense (DOD) has contacted my office to schedule a briefing, nor have you provided access to the classified materials for my review pursuant to my Constitutional oversight duties. 

 

One of the five halted projects, Empire Wind 1, is based in my district in southern Brooklyn. Equinor has already spent $4 billion on the construction of their offshore wind facilities, which has had a significant effect on New York’s local economy. In fact, in the eight months since the Administration’s previous stop work order on Empire Wind 1 was lifted in May of 2025, Equinor has spent $1.5 billion to continue the development of this project. Overall, the project plans to invest close to $5 billion in New York over its lifetime, and approximately $2 billion in 2026 alone. This includes $1.3 billion to build out New York’s supply chains, including critical port infrastructure, and $27 million for community and workforce development programs. The project will also provide $890 million to be invested in surrounding communities. 

 

However, even though the project is well on its way towards completion, these funds have now been unnecessarily put at risk as the result of the Administration's inexplicable refusal to work with my office to develop a strategy to mitigate these newly-discovered national security concerns so that construction may continue. Every day the project is on hold threatens the loss of thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in wages. For an Administration that is concerned with fiscal responsibility and reducing waste, this decision is breathtakingly short-sighted. 

 

As you know, DOD is heavily involved in the offshore wind site selection process, working with DOI via the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to ensure that any prospective project does not negatively impact military operations or readiness, as well as to mitigate any potential impacts on radar, sonar, or flight paths. In addition, prior to breaking ground on Empire Wind 1, Equinor worked directly with DOD to develop a plan to mitigate any potential security concerns stemming from the construction of this particular project. I also understand that representatives from Equinor have been in regular communication with both DOD and DOI as this project has moved forward over the past eight years. In light of both DOD’s prior approval of the Empire Wind 1 project site and the mitigation agreement DOD entered into with Equinor to address previously raised concerns, it is almost incomprehensible that newly-discovered classified information would come to light overriding all previous analysis done by the Department. 

 

As such, I am again reiterating my request for both access to the classified materials cited by the Department of the Interior in its press release pausing Empire Wind 1’s lease, as well as a briefing with the relevant officials from both the Departments of Defense and Interior. If these national security concerns are as serious as you have alleged, Congress has a compelling need to know as soon as possible and your departments need not avoid transparency.