The Department of the Interior’s decision to pause offshore wind projects already under construction on national security grounds is an extraordinary action that requires clear, evidence based justification. The explanation provided to date relies on well known radar phenomena that have been studied and mitigated for more than two decades by the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and U.S. allies.
Radar interactions with wind turbines are not new, nor are they unique to offshore wind. Modern defense systems use multi sensor fusion, adaptive Doppler filtering, and track discrimination specifically designed to operate in complex electromagnetic environments. These capabilities are already deployed across U.S. and allied defense infrastructure.
The projects named in the announcement underwent extensive federal review and interagency consultation before construction began, including assessments of radar, navigation, and national security impacts. Pausing projects at this stage raises serious questions about process integrity, regulatory certainty, and the treatment of American workers and state partners who relied on existing federal approvals.
National security must be protected, but it must be protected with technical accuracy, institutional consistency, and transparency. Targeted mitigation and coordinated solutions strengthen security. Blanket pauses after construction has begun undermine confidence in the nation’s offshore energy governance.
Serene Hamsho
President, Offshore Wind Academy