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New York State’s Public Service Commission is withdrawing plans for a transmission line supporting offshore wind.

The line would have connected New York City with numerous offshore wind farms. But states are now facing federal pushback on developing wind power.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration attempted to stop development of New York’s Empire Wind Farm. Christopher Casey, New York utility regulatory director with the Natural Resources Defense Council, said the federal roadblocks make it harder to bolster this industry.

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"There are permits and regulatory decisions that need to be made at both the state and the federal level," said Casey. "If the federal government is putting up roadblocks wherever it can, then it is very difficult to move these projects – and ultimately, nothing can go forward."

New York’s transmission operator was reviewing projects to award the contract when the plan was cancelled. The wind industry is already facing some financial challenges, as rising construction and material costs have delayed or cancelled some projects.

However, Casey noted that the state is still committed to the renewable energy goals it set in the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

It comes as President Donald Trump has once again criticized wind power on his European visit. One of the first executive orders he signed in this second term put offshore wind projects nationwide in limbo.

Although a lawsuit is challenging the order, Casey said the federal government can use other ways to slow offshore wind’s future.

"Even if their executive order was found to be unlawful," said Casey, "you would still need federal employees at these agencies to do the work, review the applications and make positive decisions on them."

He said the slowdown could lead to lost economic opportunities for ratepayers in New York and nationwide.

An Aurora Energy Research report finds if Empire Wind 1, Sunrise Wind, and South Fork Wind were operational during one high-cost month in 2022, New Yorkers could have saved $77 million in electricity costs.