Orsted Challenges U.S. Halt on Offshore Wind Project
Danish energy firm Orsted has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government over the suspension of its nearly completed Revolution Wind project, citing the halt as unlawful and detrimental to regional energy plans.
Danish renewable energy company Orsted has initiated legal action against the U.S. government following an abrupt stop-work order on its Revolution Wind project, an offshore wind farm located off the coasts of Rhode Island and Connecticut. The project, which is 80% complete with 45 of its 65 turbines installed, was expected to supply power to over 350,000 homes upon completion. The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued the halt on August 22, citing unspecified national security concerns. Orsted contends that the order is "unlawful" and "issued in bad faith," and has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia seeking to overturn the directive. The company emphasizes that Revolution Wind underwent extensive environmental and safety reviews over nearly a decade, with federal agencies concluding the project is "environmentally sound, safe and consistent with federal law." The halt has also impacted Orsted's financial standing, with shares reaching a record low following the order. State officials from Rhode Island and Connecticut have expressed strong opposition to the suspension, highlighting potential risks to regional energy reliability and economic investments. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee stated, "At a time when we should be moving forward with solutions for energy, jobs, and affordability, the Trump administration is choosing delay and disruption." The legal challenge underscores the growing tensions between renewable energy developers and the federal government over the future of offshore wind projects in the United States.