In a controversial move, the Trump administration has put a halt to the construction of a massive wind farm off the coast of New York, a project poised to supply electricity to approximately 500,000 homes.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum criticized the Biden administration for allegedly "rushing through" the approval of the Empire Wind 1 project without adequate evaluation. This pause represents a significant setback for the U.S. wind energy sector, which has received strong support from former President Biden but faced critical opposition from Trump.

Upon his reinstatement, Trump wasted no time in signing executive orders that affected the wind industry, including a temporary freeze on federal permits for onshore and offshore wind initiatives.

"We're not going to do the wind thing," Trump vocally opposed, labeling wind turbines as "big, ugly windmills" that endanger wildlife.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, has strongly condemned the suspension of the Empire Wind 1 project, labeling it "federal overreach" and vowing to fight back against these measures at every opportunity.

The Norwegian company, Equinor, which spearheads the Empire Wind project, announced that construction would cease following the government's order. In a statement, they expressed their intentions to seek clarification on the abrupt order, particularly given that all necessary permits had already been secured.

Equinor has been operating under a lease obtained from the federal government back in 2017, with plans to deliver a remarkable 810 MW of energy to Brooklyn.

Trump has previously made claims, lacking substantial evidence, that wind turbines pose a threat to whales. This controversy echoes his past as he unsuccessfully tried to hinder a wind farm project near his golf course in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, before ascending to the presidency.