Washington, DC — Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) today criticized the Interior Department’s latest attempt to undermine offshore wind, as the administration seeks to reopen approvals for two projects serving the East Coast. PEER warned that the administration’s actions to override permitted energy projects threaten lease holders in every energy sector.

Last week, Interior filed to remand its construction and operations plan (COP) approval for US Wind, a 1,700 MW project off Maryland that could power more than 600,000 homes. The filing follows Interior’s October 9th request that a federal court allow it to re-evaluate the COP for Revolution Wind, an 800 MW project off Connecticut and Rhode Island that has been delivering electricity to New England for months and is projected to power over 350,000 homes. A federal judge rejected a similar remand request on US Wind’s COP last December but allowed an internal federal review. The new filing allows the current COP to stand in the interim before a judgment.

“At a time when surging energy prices are top of mind for millions of Americans, the Trump administration continues to have zero interest in lowering energy costs,” said Tim Whitehouse, executive director of PEER. “Pulling the plug on projects that already provide energy capacity desperately needed to meet growing power demand, shield consumers from fossil fuel-driven price spikes, and promote American energy security does not make us more energy dominant.”

“Revolution Wind is already delivering power. This decision upends the ability of the grid to meet energy needs and maintain investor confidence, while eroding trust that the U.S. government will keep its promises. It makes no sense,” said Tony Irish, senior counsel at PEER.

The filings follow a December directive from Interior Secretary Doug Burgum halting construction on five permitted East Coast projects, representing more than 5,800 MW, citing unspecified “national security concerns.” The administration has never disclosed what those concerns are. In March, Interior also struck a deal with TotalEnergies to relinquish two offshore wind leases in exchange for a $928 million investment in oil and gas, with taxpayers reimbursing the company for its lease costs.

PEER has filed Freedom of Information Act requests seeking the basis for the national security claims, including whether officials ever reviewed a classified assessment. Those requests remain largely unanswered.

“The public deserves to know why the administration is working so hard to shut down power sources that are already built, already permitted, and already feeding the grid,” said Whitehouse.

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Read PEER’s Letter to Congressional Committees on the National Security Pause of Five Offshore Wind Facilities in 2025

Read About the Administration’s Request to Reopen the Permit for Revolution Wind

Read About the Administration’s Request to Halt Offshore Wind in Maryland

PEER protects public employees who protect our environment, natural resources, and public health. We support current and former environmental and public health professionals, land managers, scientists, enforcement officers, and other civil servants dedicated to upholding environmental laws and values across federal, state, local, and tribal governments.