NOIA urges end to offshore wind construction pause over national security concerns

(WO) — The National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA) called on the administration to quickly lift a pause on offshore wind construction, arguing that existing projects have already undergone national security review and that delays risk harming jobs, investment and U.S. energy competitiveness.

NOIA President Erik Milito said the federal permitting process already includes extensive review of national security implications, including coordination with the U.S. Department of Defense.

“NOIA urges the administration to move promptly, in collaboration with the industry, to end the pause on construction of offshore wind projects for potential national security concerns,” Milito said. “The regulatory process involves a rigorous framework for assessing the national security implications of proposed projects, and every project under construction has already undergone review by the Department of Defense with no objections.”

Milito said the existing process is designed to be consistent and transparent, with Defense Department involvement throughout planning and development.

“The process, as required by law, provides a timely, transparent, and repeatable process to evaluate potential impacts and mitigation options related to offshore energy compatibility. The Department of Defense coordinates at every stage of planning, permitting, and development,” he said.

NOIA also said offshore wind development supports broader U.S. energy and industrial objectives, including benefits for the oil and gas supply chain.

“As NOIA emphasized to the administration earlier this year, offshore wind improves our national security by shifting economic, infrastructure, and geopolitical advantages to the U.S. through increased shipbuilding, enhancements to our ports, greater energy security to power surging electricity demand, more manufacturing and good-paying jobs, additional business for the oil and gas supply chain, and collaborative opportunities for our military,” Milito said. “In short, offshore wind helps the U.S. achieve its energy dominance goals.”

The group warned that extended delays could weaken the United States’ competitive position, particularly relative to China.

“America’s offshore energy industry has put thousands of Americans to work in high-paying jobs in the construction of offshore projects that will effectively meet burgeoning demand for power throughout the northeast,” Milito said. “We urge the administration end this pause and to resist taking further action that may harm jobs and investment, as well as undermine our economic and geopolitical competition with China.”

Retired U.S. Army General James “Spider” Marks echoed those concerns, pointing to the scale of offshore wind development overseas.

“America needs a strong offshore wind energy industry in order to compete with China,” Marks said, noting that China operates far more offshore wind projects than the United States.