Federal Judge Allows Resumption of Revolution Wind Construction

A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction allowing the nearly complete Revolution Wind offshore project to resume construction, overturning the Trump administration's stop-work order.

Judge Royce C. Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued the injunction on Monday, describing the government's halt as "the height of arbitrary and capricious action." The stop-work order, issued on August 22 by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), had cited unspecified national security concerns. However, the court found that the government failed to provide factual findings or reasons for the pause.

The construction halt had significant financial implications. Ørsted, the Danish energy company behind Revolution Wind, reported losses of $2.3 million per day during the stoppage. The project, which is 80% complete, had already incurred approximately $5 billion in expenditures. Additionally, over 1,000 union workers were laid off due to the halt.

Connecticut Attorney General William Tong welcomed the court's decision, stating, "This is a major win for Connecticut workers and for Connecticut families who need this project on track now so it can start to drive down our unaffordable energy bills." Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha also praised the ruling, emphasizing the importance of the project for the state's renewable energy goals.

Revolution Wind, located 15 nautical miles off the Rhode Island coast, is expected to deliver enough electricity to power 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut, accounting for about 2.5% of the region's electricity supply. The project is projected to save ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars over 20 years and supports over 2,500 jobs nationwide in construction, operations, shipbuilding, and manufacturing sectors.

Ørsted has announced plans to resume construction work as soon as possible, prioritizing safety. The company also expressed its intention to work collaboratively with the U.S. administration and other stakeholders toward a prompt resolution.

The Trump administration has not indicated whether it will appeal the injunction. The Interior Department has stated that it will continue its investigation into potential national security impacts of the project.

The case highlights the ongoing tension between the administration's energy policies and the offshore wind industry's efforts to expand renewable energy infrastructure along the U.S. East Coast.