BOSTON – February 9, 2026 – New England for Offshore Wind (@NE4OSW), a broad coalition of labor, environmental, consumer, and business organizations, sent a formal letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum urging him to lift the December 22, 2025, suspension order on five East Coast offshore wind projects. 

The letter, signed by 24 members of New England for Offshore Wind, warned that halting construction on the East Coast offshore wind projects could cost ratepayers billions of dollars while increasing the likelihood of power outages during periods of peak winter demand. 

“At a time when energy demand is rising and electricity prices are volatile, preventing these projects from coming online undermines both affordability and reliability for millions of Americans,” the coalition wrote. 

The coalition emphasized that lifting the suspension would align with the administration’s goal of achieving American energy independence by allowing domestic energy projects to proceed. 

“Offshore wind represents an opportunity to power our electric grid while also powering American economic growth,” the letter said. 

The letter highlights workforce and economic implications of the suspensions, noting that thousands of construction, manufacturing, and maritime jobs tied to the five projects are now at risk. In addition, the coalition addressed national security concerns, noting that the projects have been through extensive review, including evaluation by the Department of Defense. 

Background 

On December 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, issued suspension orders halting construction on five fully permitted offshore wind projects along the East Coast despite prior federal approvals. Project developers challenged the orders in federal court, arguing the stoppages would cause significant economic harm and delay energy infrastructure already cleared through environmental and national security reviews. In five separate cases, federal judges granted preliminary injunctions allowing certain construction activities to resume while the legal proceedings continue.