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A federal judge has cleared the way for a major New York offshore wind project to resume construction, delivering a significant setback to the Trump administration’s efforts to halt East Coast wind development.
District Judge Carl J. Nichols, a Trump appointee, ruled Thursday that construction on the Empire Wind project can proceed while he considers the merits of the government’s suspension order. In his decision, Nichols criticized the administration for failing to address key arguments raised by Empire Wind’s legal team, particularly claims that officials violated proper procedural requirements.
The ruling marks a victory for Norwegian energy company Equinor, which owns the Empire Wind project. Company spokesperson David Schoetz expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating they would continue collaborating with authorities moving forward. The 60% complete project is designed to provide electricity to more than 500,000 homes.
This is the second legal defeat this week for the administration’s offshore wind policy. On Monday, a different judge allowed Danish energy company Orsted to resume work on Revolution Wind, a nearly complete project serving Rhode Island and Connecticut. That project is expected to provide approximately 20% of Rhode Island’s electricity needs and 5% of Connecticut’s.
The Trump administration issued orders just before Christmas to freeze five major offshore wind projects along the East Coast, citing national security concerns. President Trump has repeatedly targeted offshore wind energy since returning to office, describing wind farms as “losers” that waste money, ruin landscapes, and kill birds.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul celebrated the court’s decision, telling reporters that the projects had been “stopped under the bogus pretense of national security.” She added: “When I heard this I said one thing: I’m the governor of New York, if there is a national security threat off the coast of New York, you need to tell me what it is. I want a briefing right now. Well, lo and behold, they had no answer.”
During a hearing Wednesday, Judge Nichols suggested the government’s security concerns appeared to focus on the operation of wind turbines rather than their construction. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward Jr., representing the government, disputed this characterization, arguing that the distinction was meaningless. He compared it to a nuclear project presenting national security risks, where opposition would apply to both construction and operation.
The ruling has significant implications for the Biden administration’s clean energy agenda. Large offshore wind projects are central to many East Coast states’ renewable energy strategies, as these states often lack sufficient land for onshore wind turbines or extensive solar arrays.
Molly Morris, Equinor’s senior vice president overseeing Empire Wind, emphasized the company’s commitment to completing the project and delivering a critical new power source for New York. Equinor had argued in court that the government’s pause threatened to derail the entire project due to limited availability of specialized vessels and potential financial losses.
The legal battles continue for other affected projects. Orsted is also challenging the pause of its Sunrise Wind project in New York, while Dominion Energy Virginia plans to seek similar judicial relief for its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind development. Meanwhile, Vineyard Wind LLC, developing a project in Massachusetts, filed its own complaint Thursday in Boston’s District Court.
The U.S. setbacks stand in sharp contrast to global offshore wind expansion. China leads in new installations, while the British government recently secured a record 8.4 gigawatts of offshore wind in Europe’s largest auction—enough clean electricity to power more than 12 million homes.
Critics of offshore wind remain vocal. Robin Shaffer, president of Protect Our Coast New Jersey, urged the administration to immediately appeal the adverse rulings and halt all work pending review, maintaining that the projects pose legitimate security concerns.
As these legal battles unfold, they highlight the high-stakes political and economic tensions surrounding America’s renewable energy transition and the offshore wind industry’s future under the current administration.
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13 Comments
The Empire Wind project is an important step forward in providing clean, renewable electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes. It’s good to see the court recognize the procedural flaws in the administration’s attempts to halt its construction.
Absolutely, this project will make a significant contribution to the region’s clean energy goals. Overcoming these legal challenges is crucial for accelerating offshore wind development.
While the Trump administration has repeatedly tried to obstruct offshore wind projects, it’s encouraging to see the courts upholding the rule of law and protecting these important clean energy initiatives. The Empire Wind project will be a valuable asset for New York.
This is great news for the offshore wind industry and renewable energy development on the East Coast. The judge’s ruling is a clear rebuke of the Trump administration’s efforts to slow down these important projects. It’s encouraging to see the legal process working to protect clean energy progress.
Offshore wind is a vital component of the clean energy transition, and this ruling is a positive step forward. The Empire Wind project will bring much-needed renewable electricity to New Yorkers, while also creating green jobs and economic opportunities.
Offshore wind is a rapidly growing industry with immense potential to boost clean energy production. This latest legal victory helps clear the way for more projects to move forward and deliver on their promised benefits.
This is great news for the offshore wind industry and a win for clean energy advocates. It’s heartening to see the courts upholding proper procedures and protecting critical infrastructure projects from political interference. The Empire Wind project will be a valuable asset for New York.
It’s good to see the courts standing up to the Trump administration’s efforts to block offshore wind projects. This industry is crucial for reducing carbon emissions and creating green jobs, and it deserves a stable regulatory environment.
This decision is a setback for the Trump administration’s anti-renewable energy agenda. The offshore wind industry needs predictable, evidence-based policymaking to drive long-term growth and investment. Hopefully this is a sign of better things to come.
While the Trump administration has been hostile to renewable energy, it’s heartening to see the courts upholding the rule of law and protecting these critical infrastructure projects. The offshore wind industry deserves a fair and transparent regulatory process.
Agreed, the courts play a vital role in ensuring fair play and preventing political interference in important energy developments. This decision is a win for the environment and local communities.
The offshore wind industry has faced significant political headwinds under the current administration, so this court victory is an important milestone. It demonstrates that the legal process can effectively safeguard renewable energy development against partisan interference.
The Empire Wind project is an important step towards a more sustainable energy future for New York. This court ruling is a positive sign that the legal system can effectively check political interference in clean energy development.