Gabe Amo

Trump issued an executive order on Jan. 20 — his first day in office ― that promised a “temporary withdrawal” of leases for offshore wind projects, and also said the federal government is going to review “the leasing and permitting” for wind projects.

PROVIDENCE — Rhode Island Congressmen Gabe Amo and Seth Magaziner on Thursday decried President Trump’s decision to hit pause on federal approvals for offshore wind projects , saying the move sets back the country’s aspirations toward a clean energy future.

Amo, who retained his US House seat in November representing Rhode Island’s First Congressional District, said while it is still unclear what the move will mean for the long-term future of individual projects, the decision could hurt local economies.

“The president’s move puts at risk good paying jobs, the energy savings and the climate action that we we’ve made so much progress on,” he said at an offshore wind gathering in Providence. “Hardworking Americans across the country, in blue states and red states will feel the negative effects of these actions.”

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Magaziner, who represents Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District, called the decision “dangerously misguided” and said it may embolden America’s economic rivals.

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“China in particular, is doubling down on affordable, clean energy while President Trump tries to turn back the clock,” he said. “If we are going to win in this new age and the world of artificial intelligence and all of the energy that is required in order to power it, this is a time to be leaning in, not pulling back.”

New England states have banked on offshore wind energy projects becoming an important part of the region’s transition toward clean energy, with projects worth billions of dollars being developed to realize those goals.

Rhode Island, for example, is host to the country’s first offshore wind farm, off the coast of Block Island.

Industry players are concerned that projects that have received permits but are awaiting some approvals to proceed could be affected by the new executive order.

Dustin Varnell, a consultant with Spirit Advisory, a Rhode Island-based firm that works with companies in the offshore wind energy industry, said the uncertainty from the executive order is putting future projects in jeopardy.

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“If you stop the pipeline will you get businesses and workforce to participate in the industry going forward,” he said. “The uncertainty could cost the US jobs and investment.”

Projects such as SouthCoast Wind, which promises to power a million homes in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, could face challenges proceeding even though it has secured its federal permit.

Even projects that have secured their approvals may be disrupted as the Trump administration has suggested it may review approved leases for wind projects as well.

Magaziner promised to fight — along with the rest of the Rhode Island congressional delegation — for projects that are already underway.

“Projects that are under construction or have received approval... must be allowed to continue,” he said. “I’m sure there will be some fights along the way. But you have my commitment and I know that Gabe and the rest of our delegation will do our part to make sure that those projects who have received their approval, who have the legal right to move forward are able to do so.”

Material from previous Globe articles was used in this report.

Omar Mohammed can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter (X) @shurufu.