Trump abruptly shuts down wind projects over 'national security risks'

by · Mail Online

President Donald Trump's Interior Department suddenly hit the brakes on several large–scale offshore wind projects in the United States.

The pause takes effect immediately, after defense officials flagged serious national security concerns uncovered in newly completed classified reports by the Department of War.

The Department named five leases that will be paused: Revolution Wind, Vineyard Wind 1, Sunrise Wind, CVOW and Empire Wind.

Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum backed the move, saying that the 'prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people.' 

The department further explained that the decision will give government agencies 'time to work with leaseholders and state partners to assess the possibility of mitigating the national security risks posed by these projects.'

Burgum said it addresses 'national security risks,' including 'relevant adversary technologies' developed by large–scale offshore wind projects, but did not elaborate on specifics. 

The move comes as experts warn that these massive spinning turbines are creating a 'blackout' for US defense systems.

Diana Furchtgott–Roth, a veteran of the Reagan, Trump and both Bush administrations, told the Daily Mail that these projects pose 'serious threats to national defense' because they scramble our radar.

In a sudden move on Monday, President Donald Trump's Interior Department hit the brakes on several large–scale offshore wind projects in the United States
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum backed the move, saying that the 'prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people'
As part of his campaign initiatives –– President Trump promised cheaper energy to Americans

Join the debate

Should national security always outweigh efforts to fight climate change and expand clean energy?

Go to comments

'The point is that these wind turbines interfere with radar,' Furchtgott–Roth explained, warning that they disrupt everything from early warning systems and aviation safety to weather predictions and ocean surveillance.

For planes, this can be any plane, domestic or foreign since the radar does not distinguish between the two, leading to exposed threats. 

Even more chilling, the turbines could leave the US vulnerable to a sneak attack.

Furchtgott–Roth, the Director of the Center for Energy, Climate and Environment warned that projects like Revolution Wind and Vineyard Wind interfere with early warning systems used to detect ballistic missiles, potentially 'prolonging response times to attacks'.

It isn't just the skies that are at risk. Furchtgott–Roth revealed that these turbines emit vibrations, electromagnetic fields and acoustic signals that can travel thousands of miles through the water. 

These signals could mask the sound of enemy submarines, interfering with our ability to detect 'underwater threats.' 

Furchtgott–Roth argues that wind power makes electricity more expensive because it forces the grid to run two systems at once—the wind farm and a backup natural gas plant for when the wind stops blowing.

She compared it to being given a 'free' car that you can only drive during the day.

Some energy experts dispute this, noting that backup capacity already exists on the grid and wind reduces fuel costs even when conventional plants remain on standby.

'We live in a dangerous environment,' Furchtgott–Roth said. 'Any energy projects that interfere with our national defense system should not be permitted to go forward'.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.