In a move that has stirred debate across energy, environmental, and political sectors, the U.S. Department of the Interior has halted construction on Empire Wind 1—an offshore wind project expected to supply electricity to over 500,000 New York City homes, including many in Queens. Developed by Equinor and long promoted as a key component of the city’s clean energy future, the project is now under federal review, with officials citing a rushed and incomplete approval process.

Empire Wind 1, located approximately 15 miles off the coast of Long Island, was designed to deliver 810 megawatts of wind-generated power—enough to reach hundreds of thousands of homes, spanning from the Rockaways to Kew Gardens Hills. For Queens residents, the project signaled not only a shift toward renewable energy but also a major investment in local infrastructure and union jobs.

The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal (SBMT), just across the water from Queens neighborhoods like Howard Beach and Broad Channel, was being transformed into one of the nation’s largest offshore wind ports—offering potential employment and contracting opportunities to Queens-based tradespeople and developers.

On April 16, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a stop-work directive, citing insufficient interagency review and environmental planning during the prior administration’s approval process.

A report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that the environmental assessments used for project approval were outdated and failed to fully account for long-term impacts on marine ecosystems and fisheries—concerns that have been echoed by both scientists and commercial fishermen along the East Coast.

In addition, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) review raised serious concerns that offshore wind turbines could interfere with radar systems and national defense operations. These findings are particularly significant in our region, given the proximity to JFK Airport, the 101st Rescue Squadron in Westhampton, and commercial aviation paths directly affecting Queens residents.

Governor Kathy Hochul denounced the federal halt as “overreach,” warning that the decision could stall New York’s clean energy progress and jeopardize union job creation. Queens legislators, including State Senator Joseph Addabbo, who has long championed environmentally responsible development along the Rockaway Peninsula and Jamaica Bay, have historically supported projects that balance renewable innovation with local needs and coastal resilience.

Equinor, which had already invested more than $2 billion into the Empire Wind 1 project, said it was caught off guard by the directive and is currently exploring legal and procedural responses. The project was expected to create thousands of jobs, including workforce development opportunities supported through partnerships with Queens-based institutions such as LaGuardia Community College and York College.

Beyond technical debates and political posturing, the impact on Queens families is tangible. Promised benefits included lower electricity costs, improved air quality—especially in historically overburdened areas like Jamaica and Long Island City—and greater energy reliability during peak usage and storm-related outages.

Now, all of that is in limbo.

At the same time, our community—particularly within the Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods of Queens—understands the value of cheshbon hanefesh, a spiritual accounting that calls for honest reflection and responsibility before action. Bold initiatives must be balanced by transparency, long-term stewardship, and public trust. When environmental decisions intersect with federal oversight, responsibility must take precedence over expediency.

Whether this pause results in limited revisions or a complete reassessment, the future of Empire Wind 1 could shape the trajectory of renewable energy policy far beyond the city limits. For Queens, the stakes include economic growth, energy affordability, and our voice in shaping future climate infrastructure.

As the conversation continues, Queens will remain a vital player in both advocacy and accountability. And as always, our communities will seek outcomes that reflect both technological progress and Torah values.

By Shabsie Saphirstein