Empire, Revolution Wind Sue Trump Over Offshore Wind Policy Dispute

Two offshore wind developers are pursuing legal action against the Trump administration due to a sudden cessation of construction on offshore wind projects nearing completion. On January 1, Revolution Wind filed a complaint in federal court in Washington, D.C., challenging the Interior Department’s lease suspension order issued on December 22. Equinor’s Empire Wind soon followed with its own lawsuit seeking a preliminary injunction to resume construction during the legal proceedings.

Details on the Lawsuits

The lawsuits come as a response to the Interior Department’s suspension affecting five ongoing wind farms: Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind by Dominion Energy, Vineyard Wind 1 in Massachusetts, Revolution Wind serving Rhode Island and Connecticut, along with Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind in New York. Dominion Energy initiated the legal actions first, filing its complaint on December 23.

Revolution Wind Overview

• Joint venture between Ørsted and Skyborn Renewables (Global Infrastructure Partners).
• Claims the lease suspension breaches federal law and poses significant risks to its nearly complete project.
• Completed about 87% of construction, with offshore foundations installed and most turbines in place.

After extensive federal and state permitting that lasted over nine years, Revolution Wind was expected to begin power generation by January 2026. The project will provide electricity to over 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut under 20-year power purchase agreements.

Empire Wind Overview

• Equinor argues the Interior Department’s order is unlawful and could adversely affect commercial and financing aspects.
• Empire Wind is over 60% complete and represents a multibillion-dollar investment in U.S. energy infrastructure.
• Equinor has invested more than $4 billion, aiming to supply enough electricity for around 500,000 homes in New York.

The project has also coordinated extensively with federal agencies concerning national security since signing its lease in 2017, ensuring continuous engagement with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Broader Impacts of the Legal Actions

The suspension of projects not only raises concerns among developers but also threatens to increase energy costs and compromise grid reliability in the Northeast, particularly as demand grows from sectors like data centers and artificial intelligence.

Other Considerations

Ørsted’s Sunrise Wind project, while not yet part of the lawsuits, is also assessing its options concerning the ongoing situation. The construction delays could lead to significant financial implications for these major offshore wind initiatives that have already made substantial investments and commitments to uphold energy demands.

The influx of lawsuits highlights a critical situation for the offshore wind industry, raising questions about the stability and predictability of energy policies in the U.S.