Trump Administration Halts Offshore Wind Leases With Implications for New Jersey Coast
The Trump administration has ordered an immediate suspension of leases for five major offshore wind projects along the East Coast, a move that could ripple across South Jersey and the Jersey Shore as New Jersey continues to debate the future of wind energy off its coastline.
Federal officials say the pause is tied to national security concerns raised by the Pentagon, although no specific threats were publicly outlined.
The decision temporarily halts construction and development activity while the Interior Department works with the Defense Department and other agencies to reassess potential risks.
The action comes just two weeks after a federal judge ruled that President Donald Trump’s earlier executive order blocking wind energy development was unlawful, setting up a fresh legal and political clash over offshore wind.
Trump Administration Halts Offshore Wind Projects With Potential Impact on New Jersey
What This Means for New Jersey and the Jersey Shore
While none of the paused projects are physically located off South Jersey beaches, the decision directly affects New York’s Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind projects, both of which are closely watched in New Jersey because of their proximity to major shipping lanes, fishing grounds, and regional power infrastructure.
The projects that are paused include: Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Vineyard Wind (Massachusetts), Revolution Wind (Rhode Island) and Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind (New York)
New Jersey has positioned itself as a hub for offshore wind manufacturing and staging, with port facilities and supply chain investments tied to projects across the Northeast.
Any prolonged slowdown threatens construction timelines, jobs, and long term energy planning that impact communities from Cape May County to Atlantic County.
Local opposition groups have also been vocal along the Jersey Shore, arguing that offshore wind turbines could interfere with radar systems and commercial fishing. Those concerns are now being echoed at the federal level.
Two New NJ Offshore Wind Projects Are Coming
Are Any Offshore Wind Projects Currently Under Construction in New Jersey
Despite the sweeping federal action affecting offshore wind development along the East Coast, there are currently no major offshore wind turbine farms actively under construction off the New Jersey coast.
Several high profile projects tied to New Jersey have either been cancelled or stalled before reaching the construction phase.
Ocean Wind Projects Cancelled
The Ocean Wind 1 and Ocean Wind 2 projects, originally planned by developer Ørsted for federal waters off New Jersey, were cancelled before full offshore construction began. Ocean Wind 1 was formally terminated by the developer and is no longer moving forward in any active capacity, while Ocean Wind 2 was also shelved amid rising costs and regulatory uncertainty.
Offshore Wind Farms are STILL Coming to New Jersey
Atlantic Shores Approved but Stalled
Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind Projects 1 and 2 remain federally approved and were planned to place turbines approximately 7 to 20 miles offshore from Cape May, Ocean, and Monmouth County beaches.
However, progress on Atlantic Shores has slowed significantly since early 2025. Federal policy uncertainty combined with the withdrawal of a major development partner has left the project in limbo. At this time, there are no reported turbine installations or at sea construction activities underway for Atlantic Shores.
NJ’s Offshore Wind Odyssey Gets a $10.6M Boost
New Jersey Opposition Group Praises the Move
A New Jersey based group opposed to offshore wind welcomed the lease suspension, calling it a victory for coastal communities.
Protect Our Coast New Jersey argued that placing wind turbines offshore threatens fishing industries and aviation safety, particularly given the region’s proximity to major airports like Newark Liberty, JFK, and LaGuardia.
The group has consistently opposed Empire Wind and similar projects that could affect New Jersey’s coastal waters and fishing economy.
Ocean Wind 1
What Happens Next
Legal challenges are expected, and state leaders in the Northeast are already signaling they will fight the suspension in court. If the pause extends for months, it could disrupt offshore wind timelines tied to New Jersey port investments and long term energy planning.
For South Jersey communities watching turbine proposals offshore and debating their impact on tourism, fishing, and jobs, the decision adds another layer of uncertainty to an already divisive issue along the Jersey Shore.