Federal Judge Unblocks Offshore Wind Project, Poses Challenge to Trump's Energy Policies

Fri Sep 26 2025 12:57:04 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A federal judge's ruling allows the nearly completed Revolution Wind offshore project to proceed, likely setting a precedent for the renewable energy sector amid Trump’s restrictive policies.

A federal judge has ruled that construction on the Revolution Wind project, which aims to supply power to Rhode Island and Connecticut, can resume after being paused due to national security concerns. This decision challenges the Trump administration's previous efforts to restrict offshore wind development. The project, which is 80% complete, faced delays costing at least $2.3 million a day, and a halt could threaten its viability. While supporters view the ruling as a significant win for renewable energy, the administration maintains concerns over potential national security risks.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge ruled Monday that the ongoing halt of the nearly completed Revolution Wind offshore project must come to an end, marking a significant setback for President Trump’s efforts to curtail the growing wind energy sector.

Construction had been paused since August 22 due to a stop-work order issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), citing national security concerns, which were not specified at the time. Both the developer and the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut took legal action in response.

The developer, Danish energy company Orsted along with its partner Skyborn Renewables, sought a preliminary injunction allowing them to continue construction. Judge Royce Lamberth acknowledged at a hearing that Revival Wind has already made considerable investments and the resulting delays could lead to losses of as much as $2.3 million daily. He further stated that without timely progress, the entire project might collapse.

There is no question in my mind of irreparable harm to the plaintiffs, Lamberth remarked, supporting the decision for the injunction on the basis of public interest.

Following the ruling, Interior Department spokesperson Elizabeth Peace stated that construction could resume while BOEM continues investigating potential national security impacts. The Trump administration, however, maintained its position that the project poses unresolved risks.

Nancy Pyne from the Sierra Club emphasized that this ruling reaffirms the illegality of the Trump administration's attacks on clean energy. Contrarily, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly stated that Trump's mandate involves restoring America’s energy dominance, indicating that this ruling is not the final decision.

On the campaign trail, Trump has pledged to dismantle the offshore wind industry in effort to bolster fossil fuel production, which he argues will lead to lower energy costs. The Revolution Wind project is intended to serve approximately 350,000 homes in the region, representing about 2.5% of its electricity needs.

Connecticut and Rhode Island lawmakers hailed the ruling as a victory for families who require stable energy costs. Deputy Attorney General Peter Neronha and Attorney General William Tong are among those voicing their support, insisting that the project's future is essential for energy affordability in the region.

As stated, Orsted has already invested around $5 billion into the project and expects significant losses if construction is ultimately canceled, which would affect both jobs and energy prices in Rhode Island and Connecticut.