Trump Administration Halts Work On Nearly Complete Revolution Wind. Could Vineyard Wind Be Next?

The Trump administration has halted construction on Revolution Wind, a $4 billion, 65-turbine offshore wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island that was approximately 80 percent complete.

It marked Trump's latest salvo against the offshore wind industry, which has been targeted by his administration since he was inaugurated in January.

In a letter to Orsted, the Danish energy company that is building Revolution Wind, Trump's acting director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Matthew Giacona stated that the order to halt construction was made "to allow time for it to address concerns that have arisen during the review that the Department is undertaking pursuant to the President's Memorandum of January 20, 2025."

Giacona was referring to Trump's executive order, which he signed on his inauguration day, that halted any new federal leases for offshore wind projects and threatened to terminate or amend existing wind energy leases following a review by the Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Giacona specified in his letter to Orsted that the stop work order was also implemented due to "national security concerns."

"BOEM is acting to ensure that all activities authorized under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands...and the implementing regulations...are carried out in a manner that provides for protection of the environment, among other requirements," Giacona wrote. "In particular, BOEM is seeking to address concerns related to the protection of national security interests of the United States and prevention of interference with reasonable uses of the exclusive economic zone, the high seas, and the territorial seas..."

In a statement released shortly after BOEM announced the order, Orsted stated Revolution Wind "is complying with the order and is taking appropriate steps to stop offshore activities, ensuring the safety of workers and the environment...Ørsted is evaluating all options to resolve the matter expeditiously. This includes engagement with relevant permitting agencies for any necessary clarification or resolution as well as through potential legal proceedings, with the aim being to proceed with continued project construction towards COD in the second half of 2026."

Revolution Wind is 80 percent complete, the company stated, with all of its offshore foundations completed and 45 out of 65 wind turbines installed.

Could Trump's action signal a similar fate for Vineyard Wind off Nantucket, which is also fully permitted and well into its construction phase?

While the Trump administration had previously stated that permitted offshore wind projects would be under review, it went further last month and hinted that it might revoke federal permits for offshore wind developments that have already been approved and are under construction.

The action on Friday against Revolution Wind suggests that a similar order could be on the table for nearby Vineyard Wind. Opponents of Vineyard Wind, including the Nantucket-based ACK For Whales, are hoping the Trump administration takes a similar tack on the offshore wind farm just east of Revolution Wind.

"We are pleased that the Trump administration is taking a careful look at the process by which projects like Vineyard Wind have been permitted," said ACK For Whales' board member Amy DiSibio. "The integrity of our environmental controls for offshore wind was badly compromised during the last administration. It’s high time for common sense to prevail and for laws and regulations to dictate what does and does not happen. We are hopeful that the 'halt work' order for Revolution Wind is an indication that more orders will ensue. Vineyard Wind has almost the exact same set of issues and if this administration is going to apply the executive orders, secretary’s orders and the law consistently, Vineyard Wind should be stopped as well."

Back in April, the Trump administration halted work on Empire Wind, a $5 billion offshore wind project off the coast of Long Island that was also under construction. But after negotiating with Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Trump reversed course and allowed Empire Wind to proceed.

"Revolution Wind is already under construction and nearly complete, representing years of planning, billions in private investment, and significant progress for America’s offshore energy supply chain," said National Ocean Industries Association president Erik Milito in a statement. "Any pause or uncertainty at this stage could ripple across jobs, contracts, and communities already benefiting from the project."