On December 22, just days before Christmas, the Trump administration froze construction on five offshore wind projects along the East Coast, citing vague “national security concerns” and putting billions of dollars in investment, the jobs of thousands, and our clean energy future at risk. In response, the Yes to Wind team immediately began mobilizing—planning a vibrant action to stand up for wind and not let this reckless and illegal move go unnoticed. On Friday, January 2nd, Climate advocates, union leaders, and elected officials from across Rhode Island gathered at CIC Providence and 195 District Park for a press conference and rally to condemn the Trump Administration’s decision to stop these projects. 

“Donald Trump is driving up energy bills and killing thousands of good-paying union jobs. His energy policies are not working for American families and these repeated attacks on offshore wind are upending our progress in developing clean, renewable sources of energy that are absolutely essential for the future,” said U.S. Senator Jack Reed. “Revolution Wind is more than 85 percent complete, has invested billions of dollars in this project, and was weeks away from delivering power to thousands of homes and lowering energy bills. Projects just like it across the nation are also being halted by this misguided and shortsighted administration. We need to create more energy in order to lower prices, and President Trump is leading us in the wrong direction.”

“Revolution Wind was thoroughly vetted and fully permitted by the federal government long ago, and that review included addressing all potential national security questions. Those questions were reviewed again in court, and Trump lost, and did not appeal,” said U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. “President Donald ‘Stop Work’ Trump is desperate to keep affordable, clean energy off the grid and he does not care how many working people have to lose their jobs to please his billionaire fossil fuel donors.”

Labor leaders underscored the direct impact on workers and their families as projects that were already under construction were abruptly paused and thousands of jobs were left hanging in the balance.  

“Just days before the holidays, this administration chose to put thousands of skilled construction workers in limbo, again,” said Michael F. Sabitoni, General Secretary-Treasurer of LiUNA and President of the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council. “These are dedicated men and women who were counting on this work to support their families and keep food on the table. Offshore wind means union jobs, strong wages, and real economic security. Pulling the plug at the end of the year is reckless and deeply unfair to working families.” 

When completed, these projects would power 2.5 million homes with clean, affordable energy—exactly what families across New England need right now as energy bills remain painfully high. This decision makes one thing clear: Donald Trump is increasingly out of touch with what Americans actually want and need: reliable, affordable power and good-paying jobs.

Only a month ago, a federal judge ruled that Trump’s previous attempt to halt Revolution wind was “arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law” marking a major win and a critical step toward getting offshore wind development back on track. And yet, here we are again. These actions don’t protect national security — they waste time, burn money, and throw hardworking people out of their jobs, all while benefiting Trump’s fossil fuel allies.

When Trump first tried to stop Revolution Wind in August, 100 people showed up to our rally in Newport to say yes to offshore wind. Since then, our Yes to Wind petition has reached more than 1,200 sign-ons, and Rhode Islanders across the state have continued to speak up — testifying at hearings, writing op-eds, showing up for rallies, and speaking up online. Rhode Islanders are backing offshore wind because it delivers affordable, reliable energy, good local jobs, and a stronger, more resilient electric grid.  

“Across Rhode Island, people have shown up again and again to support offshore wind because it is one of the most powerful tools we have to cut fossil fuel pollution while delivering affordable, reliable energy,” said Jeff Migneault, Executive Director of Climate Action Rhode Island. “Stopping these projects ignores both climate science and public support for offshore wind, and it delays the clean energy transition our communities are counting on.”

The press conference and rally were hosted by Climate Action Rhode Island, Climate Jobs Rhode Island, the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, the Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council, and Green Energy Consumers Alliance. The speaking program included Michael F. Sabitoni, General Secretary-Treasurer, LiUNA and President, Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades Council, U.S. Senator Jack Reed, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo, Governor Dan McKee, Jeff Migneault, Executive Director, Climate Action Rhode Island, Nick Reynolds, Union Painter, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Local 195 of District Council 11, and Patrick Crowley, President, Rhode Island AFL-CIO. Organizers pledged to continue mobilizing workers, ratepayers, and community members to defend offshore wind and push back against federal actions that threaten economic stability and energy affordability across New England.