Trump Halts Rhode Island Wind Project, Leaving Union Workers in Limbo
Imagine this: dozens of union construction workers bobbing on boats, fifteen miles off the Rhode Island coast, unsure of when—or if—they’ll get back to work. Video games are being played, texts are being sent to family, and all the while, a massive offshore wind project sits 80% complete. This is the reality after the White House, on August 22, abruptly halted the Revolution Wind project, leaving workers, developers, and the community scrambling for answers.
The Revolution Wind project was not just any construction site. Nearly a decade of planning, permitting, approvals, environmental reviews, and legal hurdles had gone into it. When finished, it was expected to generate 704 megawatts of clean energy, enough to power around 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut. The project also promised high-paying, skilled union jobs and a boost to the local economy. But all of that came to a screeching halt.
Union leaders have been vocal about the impact. Patrick Crowley, president of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, described the decision as baffling. “A lot of building trades workers, a lot of union workers, voted for Donald Trump and his team. But they didn't vote to have union jobs shut down,” he said. Michael Sabitoni, president of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council, called it one of the most reckless moves in his 38-year career. Hundreds of union workers, along with those in shipbuilding and manufacturing connected to the project, now face uncertainty.
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The decision has split opinions. Environmentalists and state officials had supported the wind farm because Rhode Island is aiming to reach 100% renewable electricity by 2033. Meanwhile, local fishing groups argue the project has disrupted squid, cod, and scallop harvests, and may even threaten endangered North Atlantic right whales. Commercial fishers have welcomed the halt, citing their livelihoods at stake.
President Trump has long been critical of wind energy, calling turbines “ugly,” suggesting they are inefficient, and even claiming they cause health issues and excessive bird deaths. His administration has previously blocked other offshore wind projects and halted grants for rooftop solar. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum described these actions as “a commonsense approach to energy that puts Americans’ interests first,” citing national security concerns about foreign-made turbine parts.
The timing has left many environmental groups and investors frustrated. The project was privately funded and nearly complete, yet it was stopped mid-construction. The American Council on Renewable Energy warned that halting such projects signals that the U.S. cannot reliably follow through on energy commitments, especially as global competition in green energy infrastructure intensifies.
Offshore, workers continue waiting. Some anticipate a legal challenge to get the project back on track, while others just hope the next shift change will bring clarity. For many, this isn’t just about turbines or politics—it’s about livelihoods and stability for their families. As Crowley put it, “For our folks, this is work. This is make or break.”
The Revolution Wind saga captures a moment of tension between clean energy ambitions, labor interests, and political priorities. What was meant to be a step forward in renewable power has become a pause that leaves workers and communities wondering: when, if ever, will the turbines turn again?
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