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Judge Weighs Fate of Major New York Offshore Wind Project Halted by Trump Administration
A federal judge is set to rule Thursday on whether to lift a Trump administration order that paused construction on the Empire Wind project, a major offshore wind farm designed to power more than 500,000 homes in New York. Norwegian company Equinor warns the project’s survival is at stake, with 60% of construction already complete.
District Judge Carl J. Nichols, a Trump appointee, heard arguments Wednesday in Washington as Equinor emphasized the urgency of resuming work. The company faces significant financial losses and scheduling challenges with specialized vessels needed for construction.
The Empire Wind case represents one of several legal battles unfolding after the Trump administration froze five major East Coast offshore wind projects just before Christmas, citing undisclosed national security concerns.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Nichols sharply questioned government attorneys, noting their failure to address key arguments raised by Empire Wind, including claims that the administration acted arbitrarily and failed to follow proper procedures.
“Your brief doesn’t even include the word arbitrary,” the judge told government attorneys. When they claimed to still be contesting those arguments, Nichols responded bluntly: “This is not the way we do things.”
The government submitted its national security reasoning to the judge confidentially. However, Molly Morris, Equinor’s senior vice president overseeing Empire Wind, stated that federal officials have provided no explanation of the security concerns or potential mitigation measures.
Time is of the essence for Equinor, which has already invested approximately $4 billion in the project. A specialized heavy lift vessel, Heerema’s Sleipnir, must begin lifting the project’s offshore substation topside onto its foundation before February 1, when the vessel is scheduled to depart for other commitments. The topside weighs more than 3,000 tons, and there are few such specialized installation ships available globally.
“We have been clear and consistent that we are ready to address any additional security concerns that were not already addressed through our lengthy engagement with various defense agencies,” Morris said.
This hearing follows a victory for another developer earlier this week. On Monday, a judge in the same federal court ruled that work on Revolution Wind, a nearly completed project by Danish company Orsted serving Rhode Island and Connecticut, could resume while the administration considers ways to mitigate security concerns.
President Trump has repeatedly criticized offshore wind energy, recently calling wind farms “losers” that waste money, destroy landscapes, and kill birds. His administration’s stance against renewable energy contradicts global trends, with dozens of countries expanding clean energy capacity to address climate change.
The global offshore wind market continues to grow rapidly, with China leading in new installations. In contrast to the U.S. pause, the British government announced Wednesday it had secured a record 8.4 gigawatts of offshore wind in Europe’s largest auction, enough to power more than 12 million homes. British officials noted that the auction price for offshore wind is 40% cheaper than building and operating new gas power plants.
The Trump administration’s December order also affected projects in Massachusetts and Virginia. New York’s attorney general filed a separate lawsuit last Friday challenging the halts on Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind, both critical to the state’s clean energy goals.
The administration has maintained that the pause is necessary to protect national security, with White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers stating after Monday’s court decision that “we look forward to ultimate victory on the issue.”
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10 Comments
The Trump administration’s decision to halt this major offshore wind project at the last minute seems highly questionable. I hope the judge finds the reasoning to be lacking in substance.
Renewable energy projects like Empire Wind are vital for transitioning to a more sustainable future. Politically-motivated delays can have serious economic and environmental consequences.
The Empire Wind project seems like an important renewable energy initiative that could power over 500,000 homes. I hope the judge lifts the construction freeze and allows the project to move forward.
Offshore wind is a crucial part of the clean energy transition. Delays and political interference in these types of projects are concerning and could undermine progress.
Interesting to see a Trump-appointed judge scrutinizing the administration’s freeze on this major offshore wind project. Curious to hear the reasoning behind the national security concerns cited.
This case highlights the complex legal battles over renewable energy initiatives under the previous administration. The judge’s tough questioning suggests the decision may not hold up under scrutiny.
It’s concerning to see the previous administration interfering with the development of large-scale renewable energy projects. I hope the judge upholds the rule of law and allows this project to move forward.
This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the priorities of the fossil fuel industry and the push for renewable energy development. I’m curious to see how the judge rules and what the broader implications might be.
This case underscores the ongoing battle between fossil fuel interests and the clean energy transition. I’m curious to see if the judge finds the administration’s national security claims to be credible.
Renewable energy projects like Empire Wind are crucial for addressing climate change. Politically-motivated delays can have serious implications for the environment and the economy.