While the project was paused in order to undergo additional review of its permitting process, as announced by the new US government in the executive order issued on 20 January, the suspension of an offshore wind farm that had already started construction and kicked off investments and contract execution has sparked backlash from the industry and both New York Governor and state agencies.

“Stopping an already fully permitted project is bad for New York workers, bad for New York energy needs, and bad for business. This action shows the world that federal commitments aren’t worth the paper they are printed on” , the New York Department of Public Service (DPS) said in a statement released on 17 April.