Lawsuits Target Trump’s Offshore Wind Project Freeze by States, Developers

Bassyonni

ago 23 hours

Offshore wind developers are actively contesting the Trump administration’s recent freeze on five major wind projects along the East Coast. This legal battle is primarily focused on the potential halt of their operations, affecting the future of several significant renewable initiatives.

Lawsuits Target Trump’s Offshore Wind Project Freeze

Norwegian company Equinor and Danish energy firm Orsted have initiated civil lawsuits against the federal government. These lawsuits follow the administration’s suspension of leases for at least 90 days, which was announced on December 22. This decision, attributed to national security concerns, has drawn criticism for lacking specific explanations regarding these concerns.

Impact of the Delay

Equinor’s Empire Wind project could face “likely termination” if construction does not resume by January 16.
Orsted’s Sunrise Wind project is similarly challenged, with the company claiming billions have already been invested.

Attorneys for the developers argue that the order disrupts critical timelines. The situation has escalated, with Connecticut and Rhode Island filing a request for a preliminary injunction to allow the Revolution Wind project to continue.

National Security Concerns

Trump administration officials, including Interior Department spokesperson Matt Middleton, have suggested that halting offshore wind construction is essential for national security and maritime operations. However, developers contest these claims, citing their collaboration with regulatory agencies that had not previously raised concerns about security.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong highlighted the financial burden of delaying projects like Revolution Wind, which he asserted had undergone thorough vetting and gained necessary approvals. Every day of delay reportedly costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Legal Actions by Developers

Dominion Energy Virginia, developing the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, has challenged the order as “arbitrary and capricious.”
Orsted and Skyborn Renewables, in partnership for the Revolution Wind project, have also filed complaints against the order.

Additionally, the Vineyard Wind project, co-owned by Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, has not yet indicated if they will join the other developers’ legal actions.

Previous Suspension of Projects

The Trump administration has a history of intervening in the approval of these projects. In April, work on Empire Wind was paused due to claims that the Biden administration was rushing permits, only to allow it to resume a month later. Early in Trump’s term, Equinor secured the federal lease for Empire Wind in March 2017, with final approval granted in February 2024.

As the legal proceedings unfold, developers remain committed to contesting the government’s actions. The outcomes are likely to have widespread implications for the future of offshore wind energy initiatives in the United States.