The National Security Trump Card in Spectrum and Wind Farm Policy

          National security concerns often provide a “first among equals” status for government agencies having both justifiable and questionable radio spectrum exclusivity demands.  In some choice frequency bands, U.S. federal government users control over 50%.  See, e.g., Westling, J. (2024). 2024 State of Spectrum. American Action Forum; https://www.americanactionforum.org/insight/2024-state-of-spectrum/.

           Even existing government spectrum users will make do with less bandwidth and even share frequency bands when the FCC creates sufficient financial incentives, such as providing ample funds for incumbents to “refarm” spectrum with more efficient equipment using software and other techniques.

           Suddenly out of nowhere, national security concerns apparently warrant abrogation of 5 ocean leases for wind farms, with an immediate cessation of operations or construction. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-pausing-five-offshore-wind-projects-over-national-security-concerns-burgum-2025-12-22/.  Apparently, there is no compromise and mutual accommodation possible like that brokered between public and private spectrum users.  Despite a growing gap between available electricity supply and demand, even operational wind farms on the east coast must shut down immediately.

           Currently, the national security justification has not been extensively articulated.  Apparently, there are concerns that wind warms might interfere with the functionality of radars used in aviation and other essential functions.  Hmm.  Has any expert considered the possibility of routing around the wind farms?  For example, commercial airlines typically use specific routes, known as vectors.  They can deviate from the vector to avoid turbulence and other challenges, and of course, the vectors, as constructs of airspace, can be adjusted.

           I cannot help but notice some factors that may or may not have applicability.  For example, the 5 shut down wind farms are operated in states with a Democratic Party majority.  Danish investors participate in 2 of the farms and their government has balked at ceding control of Greenland to the U.S.  Our President does not like wind power, particularly when located in close proximity to a Scottish golf course he owns.

           Of course there are plausible concerns about wind farms.  But one would think the tendency toward over-regulation and red tape would have considered all possible problems. It takes years for a wind farm proposal to secure all necessary permits.

           Is national security a plausible, and solvable factor in wind farm policy?  The similarly contentious, high-stake radio spectrum market shows compromise is achievable.