1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge you to oppose the Trump administration's suspension of federal leases for large offshore wind projects announced Monday. This decision halts nearly six gigawatts of new electricity capacity and threatens billions in investment based on unspecified national security concerns that contradict years of Department of Defense approvals. The suspension affects five Atlantic Ocean projects, including Virginia's offshore wind farm that is 60% complete and scheduled to finish by the end of 2026. This project alone would deliver more than two gigawatts to the grid, powering approximately 660,000 homes and supporting Virginia's data centers, which represent the world's largest cluster. Halting construction at this stage wastes substantial capital already invested and leaves critical energy needs unmet. The cited radar interference concerns are not new. According to Liz Burdock, president and CEO of Oceantic Network, offshore wind companies have worked with the Department of Defense for over a decade on these issues, and the DOD has signed off on every offshore wind lease ahead of construction. Wind farm designs can be adjusted to address radar concerns, as experts have noted for decades. Sweden's decision to block wind farms last year shows these issues can be resolved through design modifications rather than blanket suspensions. This suspension comes at the worst possible time for mid-Atlantic electricity consumers. Last week, the regional grid operator announced prices hit a record high at auction due to electricity supply shortages driving high bills across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. Secretary Burgum's suggestion that New England rely on Pennsylvania natural gas ignores that the region sits at the end of natural gas pipelines and depends on ocean tankers for delivery, making offshore wind a practical solution to infrastructure limitations. Even the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore oil and gas companies that have invested in offshore wind, has urged the administration to end this pause. I ask that you publicly oppose this suspension and work to ensure these critical energy projects move forward to completion.