In a significant development for renewable energy, a federal judge on Monday ruled that Orsted, the Danish energy conglomerate, can resume construction on its Revolution Wind project. This major offshore wind farm, located off the coast of Rhode Island, was nearing completion when the Trump administration abruptly ordered a halt to its progress last month.
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth in Washington D.C. issued a preliminary injunction, siding with Orsted in their legal challenge against the Interior Department’s contentious stop-work order.
Orsted promptly announced that “Revolution Wind will resume impacted construction work as soon as possible, with safety as the top priority.” The company also indicated its commitment to ongoing collaboration with the U.S. administration and other stakeholders for a swift and satisfactory resolution, even as the core lawsuit remains active.
While the Trump administration still holds the option to appeal this ruling, neither the White House nor the Department of the Interior has yet provided an immediate response to inquiries regarding the decision.
This ambitious $6.2 billion Revolution Wind initiative, designed to feature 65 turbines, was already 80% complete when the Interior Department unexpectedly intervened. Project developers had previously projected that the farm would be capable of powering over 350,000 homes across Rhode Island and Connecticut by the upcoming spring.
The Interior Department’s initial justification for halting construction revolved around vague “national security concerns.” However, in defending against Orsted’s lawsuit, the government shifted its argument, claiming the project had not met certain permit requirements, particularly regarding coordination with the U.S. Navy to mitigate potential interference with military activities.
Orsted’s legal filings highlighted severe financial repercussions, reporting daily losses of $2.3 million due to the enforced work stoppage. The company further asserted that the project had already undergone a thorough national security assessment by federal authorities prior to its final approval in 2023.
Judge Lamberth, in his judgment, concluded that Revolution Wind had “demonstrated likelihood of success” in its legal challenge. He also stressed the “irreparable harm” the company would face if the Trump administration’s order to cease work was allowed to persist.
This court decision marks the first major legal defeat for the Trump administration’s broader attempts to impede the growth of the U.S. offshore wind industry. Beyond the Revolution Wind stoppage, the administration had also moved to revoke permits for other offshore wind ventures situated off the coasts of Massachusetts and Maryland.
Furthermore, the White House had mobilized several federal agencies in a concerted effort to obstruct offshore wind development. This included directing the Health and Human Services Department to investigate potential health impacts of wind turbines and the Department of Defense to identify any national security risks.