New Bill Gives President 90 Days to Certify Offshore Wind Won't Jam Military Radar—or Projects Get Halted

This legislation, titled the "Protecting Military Readiness from Offshore Wind Industrialization Interference Act," is short, sharp, and focused on national security concerns surrounding the push for offshore wind energy. Essentially, it puts the brakes on Atlantic wind development until the Department of Defense (DOD) can confirm these massive projects won't mess with military operations.

The core of the bill (SEC. 2) requires the President or their designee to issue a written certification within 90 days. This certification must state clearly that offshore wind projects planned for the North Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic Planning Areas will not "weaken, degrade, interfere with, or nullify" the radar and sonar systems used by the Armed Forces. It also needs to confirm that these projects won't limit the military’s ability to conduct combat, training, or rescue missions. If the President can't make that certification, the bill mandates that all projects presenting a threat to national security must be halted immediately. That’s a big, fast-moving decision point that could stop major energy infrastructure development dead in its tracks.

The Security Check: Who Benefits from a Clear Signal?

While the 90-day certification is the immediate action item, the bill also mandates a comprehensive study to follow (SEC. 3). This is where the DOD Inspector General (IG) steps in to conduct a deep dive into the effects of offshore wind on military readiness. The study is required to be delivered to Congress within 180 days and covers everything from radar and sonar interference to military air and maritime traffic.

For folks working in defense or air traffic control, this study is a must-read. The IG has to investigate whether wind projects compromise the systems used by the Armed Forces, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), NASA, and the U.S. Maritime Administration. Think about a Coast Guard rescue operation: if a massive turbine array compromises their ability to use radar to locate a vessel in distress, that’s a real-world, life-or-death problem. The bill demands a clear answer on whether these projects “affect, compromise, or inhibit” the Coast Guard’s lifesaving operations.

The Cost of Uncertainty for Energy Development

This legislation creates a significant risk for the energy industry and for states that have banked on offshore wind to meet renewable energy targets. Offshore wind developers have spent years and billions planning these projects. Now, their entire investment hinges on a 90-day certification that, if denied, grants the President the authority to halt everything.

For consumers, this regulatory uncertainty could translate into higher costs down the line. If projects are delayed or cancelled, states might struggle to meet energy demands, potentially slowing the transition to cheaper renewable sources and keeping reliance on more expensive or volatile power generation. The bill’s language is broad—using terms like "weaken" or "interfere with"—which gives the President considerable latitude to shut down projects based on military concerns, even if the interference is minor or theoretical. This prioritizes military readiness above all else, which is understandable from a national security perspective, but it’s a major hurdle for the renewable energy sector.

Auditing the Approval Process

Beyond the technical interference, the DOD IG study will also audit how these projects were approved in the first place. It specifically calls out the sufficiency of the review process and the consultation between agencies like the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse. Essentially, the IG is going to check if the right people were talking to each other and if military concerns about flight paths, training areas, and the ability to detect airborne threats were properly addressed before leases were granted. This ensures that the military’s right to operate freely in U.S. airspace and waters is protected, a crucial detail for anyone living near military training areas or relying on national defense.