In a significant development for renewable energy, a federal judge has ruled that Orsted, a Danish energy giant, can restart construction on its massive Revolution Wind project. This comes after the Trump administration unexpectedly halted the nearly complete wind farm off Rhode Island’s coast last month.
Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia issued a preliminary injunction, effectively allowing construction to proceed. This decision follows a lawsuit filed by Revolution Wind’s developers, who challenged the Interior Department’s directive to cease work. The injunction ensures that the project can advance while legal proceedings unfold.
Orsted, developing the wind farm in a joint venture with Skyborn Renewables, quickly announced that Revolution Wind would resume construction as soon as possible, prioritizing safety. The company also expressed its commitment to working with the U.S. administration and other parties to find a swift resolution to the ongoing legal dispute.
Valued at $6.2 billion, the Revolution Wind project, comprising 65 turbines, was already 80 percent complete when the Interior Department issued its stop-work order on August 29. Developers had projected that the farm would provide power to over 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut by the upcoming spring.
The Interior Department’s justification for halting construction last month involved vague national security concerns. In its legal defense against Orsted’s lawsuit, the government further claimed that the project hadn’t adhered to specific permit conditions, such as proper coordination with the U.S. Navy to prevent interference with military activities.
Orsted’s court filings revealed a daily loss of $2.3 million due to the enforced stoppage. The company highlighted that the project had already undergone a comprehensive national security review by federal authorities, receiving final approval in 2023.
Judge Lambert’s ruling emphasized that Revolution Wind demonstrated a strong likelihood of success in its legal challenge. He also noted that continuing the Trump administration’s stop-work order would inflict “irreparable harm” upon the company.
Elizabeth Peace, representing the Interior Department, stated that Revolution Wind could now resume work. She clarified that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management would, however, continue its investigation into potential national security impacts and other uses of the Outer Continental Shelf.
The legal path for Revolution Wind remains somewhat uncertain, as the Trump administration retains the option to appeal Judge Lambert’s decision. The White House did not provide an immediate comment on the matter.
This court decision marks a notable legal blow to President Trump’s broader strategy to hinder the growth of the U.S. offshore wind industry. Beyond the Revolution Wind project, his administration has actively sought to revoke permits for other offshore wind initiatives in Massachusetts and Maryland.
The White House’s campaign to impede offshore wind extends to involving numerous federal agencies. This includes directives to the Health and Human Services Department to investigate potential health impacts of wind turbines, and to the Department of Defense to identify any national security concerns associated with these projects.
Earlier in April, the Interior Department similarly ordered a halt to Empire Wind, a $5 billion project off New York’s coast that had already secured all necessary approvals from the Biden administration and was under construction. Following weeks of negotiations, including with New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, the administration eventually permitted Empire Wind to continue.
White House sources implied that this reversal came only after Governor Hochul consented to new gas pipeline approvals in New York. However, Governor Hochul firmly denied any such arrangement.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, also a Democrat, had previously expressed openness to addressing any of the Trump administration’s concerns regarding Revolution Wind. Speaking at a news conference on Monday, he confirmed extensive weekend discussions and negotiations, and noted that the court’s decision would allow work to recommence for the time being.
“My understanding is that construction can resume shortly,” Governor Lamont stated. “While discussions about environmental impact or national security can certainly continue, for now, the priority is to get back to work.”
Both Connecticut and Rhode Island had independently filed federal lawsuits to contest the stop-work order, underscoring the broad opposition to the administration’s actions.
The sudden stop-work order had created significant chaos for the Revolution Wind project, which employed over 1,200 individuals at various stages. Workers were abruptly furloughed, left uncertain about their employment, and crucial components like large turbine blades remained stranded at the New London port.
John Dunderdale, business manager for Pile Drivers and Divers Local 56, which had over 40 unionized workers on the project, highlighted the immediate impact: “We work on an hourly basis, so this stoppage is affecting wages, benefits, pensions. It put our guys in a holding pattern.”
Karen Zraick contributed reporting from New York.