Bloomberg Talks: Connecticut Governor Talks Suspension of Wind Farm Leases
Guest: Governor Ned Lamont (Connecticut)
Date: December 23, 2025
Duration (content): ~00:25–09:48
Episode Overview
Governor Ned Lamont joins Bloomberg to discuss the federal government's decision to suspend permits for five major wind farm projects, including Connecticut’s nearly finished Revolution Wind facility. Lamont delves into the suspension's impact on energy costs, state planning, and broader political and economic implications, expressing deep frustration with what he characterizes as erratic federal policy and questioning the legitimacy of cited national security concerns.
Key Discussion Points
1. Immediate Impact of Wind Farm Permit Suspension
- Project Scope: The Revolution Wind project is 85% complete, intended to power 350,000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
- Shock to the System: Lamont describes the permit pause as a sudden blow, comparing it to a "Grinch" stealing Christmas (00:25–00:51).
- Quote: “Not a heck of a Christmas present, was it?” – Lamont (00:51)
- Energy Costs: Without the wind farm, electricity bills are more likely to spike, particularly during cold periods due to limited generation capacity (02:44).
- Quote: “The wind farm, more likely to spike [bills]. We can't put pipes in the ground to get natural gas and oil… Offshore wind is one way we can do that.” – Lamont (02:44)
2. Federal Justification and National Security Cited
- Past Legal Wins: Connecticut had recently overturned a moratorium on wind power in court (01:31).
- Administration’s Rationale: The Trump administration cited new national security concerns from the Department of Interior, suggesting potential interference with radar (01:55).
- Governor’s View: Lamont casts doubt on these concerns, noting rigorous federal and bipartisan congressional review was already completed (05:09).
- Quote: “I think the president said I don’t like wind power. Come up with another way that… you can shut it down… But don’t stop us in mid construction.” – Lamont (01:55)
- Quote: “Willing to give them the benefit of the doubt… but there's no excuse for shutting this down in mid stride, not in the ninth inning of the ball game.” – Lamont (05:32)
- Pattern of Shifting Justifications:
- Previously “birds and whales” were cited, this time “radar”; Lamont expresses frustration with a never-ending list of new reasons (06:32).
- Quote: “Last time around it was birds and whales. This time around it's radar. I don't know what it's going to be next time.” – Lamont (06:32)
3. Political Contradictions and State-Federal Tensions
- Federal Inconsistency: The administration is removing barriers for other energy sources while blocking wind. Lamont finds this logic inconsistent, especially since New England has limited self-generation capabilities (04:03).
- Quote: “Don’t hold the plug on a plant that’s already 85% complete, ready to turn on in just a few months. That makes no sense at all.” – Lamont (04:03)
- Unpredictability for Business: Lamont criticizes the administration’s erratic regulatory approach, saying it makes planning and investment extremely difficult for states and businesses (06:32).
- Quote: “This hurricane jerky, on again, off again... makes it very difficult to do business with this administration.” – Lamont (06:32)
4. Broader State Challenges: Affordability, Aid, and Preparing for Rate Rises
- Addressing Gaps: Connecticut has set aside $500 million to shield the most vulnerable residents from rising costs—both in energy and as federal subsidies (like SNAP, health exchanges) come under threat (07:20).
- Quote: “We've set aside, you know, $500 million, just at least protect the most vulnerable.” – Lamont (07:20)
- No Advance Warning: Lamont says the decision was sudden; governors did not receive advance notice (08:15).
- Quote: “This really came out of left field at the very last moment...” – Lamont (08:15)
- Looking Ahead: Without the wind project, ratepayers should prepare for possible sharp increases, especially in winter (09:35).
- Quote: “I can tell you that it's going to go up and it could go up dramatically during very cold times when wind power is generating the most and we're going to have a spike in energy demand. That's what I'm trying to protect you from.” – Lamont (09:35)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On sudden policy reversals:
- “This was a real shock to our system… For the second time in three months, you're just blowing a hole in our efforts to bring down the price of electricity in New England.” – Lamont (00:51, 01:55)
- On national security claim:
- “Actually, it went through a very strong national security review over the last few years, voted on on a bipartisan basis in Congress just a year and a half ago…” – Lamont (05:09)
- On unpredictability for business and policy:
- “This hurricane jerky, on again, off again … makes it very difficult to do business with this administration. Very difficult.” – Lamont (06:32)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:25–01:31 – Introduction; Governor Lamont’s reaction to the permit halt, impact on New England energy landscape.
- 01:31–01:55 – Legal backdrop; administration’s new national security rationale.
- 02:32–03:13 – Local impact on bills and state capacity for energy generation.
- 04:03–04:36 – Contradictions in federal energy policy.
- 04:36–05:58 – Lamont’s skepticism of the national security argument.
- 06:32–07:00 – Critique of administrative unpredictability for business.
- 07:20–07:59 – State mitigation efforts for residents.
- 08:15–08:39 – Suddenness and lack of federal warning.
- 08:59–09:35 – Outlook for ratepayers; need for more generation.
Summary
Governor Ned Lamont delivers a candid and forceful critique of the Trump administration’s suspensions of wind farm permits. He stresses the urgency of increasing local energy generation to safeguard consumers against rising electricity costs, particularly during high-demand periods. Lamont challenges the shifting justifications for halting the project, frames the moves as economically damaging and politically inconsistent, and assures Connecticut residents of his administration’s ongoing commitment to affordability and energy security. For businesses and citizens alike, he projects frustration over an unpredictable regulatory environment and warns of higher costs ahead without immediate policy change.
End of summary