The stop-work order that jeopardized more than 1,000 jobs at a wind farm project off Long Island was lifted by the Trump administration on Monday. This decision came following the intervention of Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Construction at the Empire Wind 1 site came to a standstill on April 16 after an assessment by the Department of the Interior revealed that the project had been hastily approved by the Biden administration. It was deemed that the project and its permit process had been expedited.

Empire Wind 1 is part of New York’s larger initiative to achieve fossil fuel independence by 2050. The project aims to provide green energy to 500,000 households through wind turbines. However, the endeavor has faced criticism from Nassau County officials who assert that it poses a threat to marine life and the local fishing industry.

Hochul promised to fight the stop-work order the same day it was put into place, noting that the bipartisan plan had “already put shovels in the ground.”

“I knew this critical project needed to move forward and have spent weeks pushing the federal government to rescind the stop work order to allow the workers to return and ensure this important source of renewable power could come to fruition,” Hochul said.

“I want to thank President Trump for his willingness to work with me to save the 1,500 good-paying union jobs that were on the line and helping get this essential project back on track. New York’s economic future is going to be powered by abundant, clean energy that helps our homes and businesses thrive. I fought to save clean energy jobs in New York — and we got it done.”

Adams also praised the administration for the move.

“I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary Doug Burgum for their thorough review, for hearing our requests to resume construction, and for working with the city, state, NYSERDA, and Equinor to get this project back on track,” said Hizzoner, who met with Trump earlier this month and discussed the project.

“This is a strong sign of what we can accomplish when we work, instead of war, with the federal government to deliver for all Americans.”

Equinor ASA, the parent company of Empire Offshore Wind, praised both sides of the aisle for coming to a conclusion that works for all, including the employees whose jobs were jeopardized by the stop-work order.

“I would like to thank President Trump for finding a solution that saves thousands of American jobs and provides for continued investments in energy infrastructure in the U.S. I am grateful to Governor Hochul for her constructive collaboration with the Trump Administration, without which we would not have been able to advance this project and secure energy for 500 000 homes in New York,” Anders Opedal, President and CEO of Equinor ASA, said.

In line with the renewed permission, Equinor asserted that it would do “an updated assessment of the project economics” this summer. It still maintains that it can reach its planned operation start date in 2027. As it stands, the project is already “more than 30 percent complete,” according to Equinor.