The logo of Equinor is set up at the entrance of a building at Western Europe's largest liquefied natural gas plant Hammerfest LNG in Hammerfest, Norway, March 14, 2024.
Molly Morris, president of Equinor’s U.S. renewable energy division, stated: “The situation is now unsustainable.” She noted that the company is spending $50 million weekly to maintain the project, which has already seen $2.7 billion in investments. Currently, 11 vessels with 100 workers are idle, awaiting permission to resume construction.
On April 17, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum halted the project, citing concerns that the previous Biden administration may not have conducted a comprehensive environmental review. The stop-work order was prompted by a report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), though Equinor has not been provided with the report or details of its concerns. NOAA supports the Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in evaluating impacts on marine life and fisheries.
The Trump administration has prioritized accelerating approvals for energy projects to meet growing U.S. demand. For instance, the Interior Department recently announced a two-week environmental review for a Utah uranium mine. However, offshore wind projects are not included in this initiative. On his first day in office, President Trump issued an executive order pausing new leasing and permitting for wind projects, citing their high costs, visual impact, and potential effects on wildlife.
Equinor awaits further communication from the Interior Department, which was unavailable for immediate comment. A NOAA spokesperson also declined to provide statements. The company remains committed to addressing the concerns and moving the project forward.
