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.
