In response to the Trump administration’s latest suspension of offshore wind development, three of the five affected developers have filed lawsuits in federal court seeking to overturn the stop work orders: Dominion Energy on behalf of its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project; Ørsted on behalf of its Revolution Wind project; and Equinor on behalf of
Just When You Thought It Was Safe To Go Back Into The Water – Trump Administration Halts Offshore Wind Projects
On December 22, citing security concerns, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced that it was pausing leases for all offshore wind projects currently under construction. The stop-work order blocks further construction of Vineyard Wind 1, Revolution Wind, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind 1. All five projects had obtained leases
Court Knocks the Wind out of Trump Administration’s Offshore Ban
On December 8, 2025, a Massachusetts federal court ruled that the Trump administration’s ban on permit application review for offshore and onshore wind projects was illegal. While the ruling will not necessarily result in the issuance of new permits, it lifts the moratorium on review and processing of applications. In May 2025, a coalition of
Revolution Wind Blasts Back
Following the Trump administration’s abrupt cancelation of the Revolution Wind project at the end of August, Revolution Wind LLC, a joint venture between Ørsted and Skyborn Renewables, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia seeking to prevent enforcement of the stop work order. Revolution Wind contends that the order was
Trump Administration Derails Revolution Wind as Court Fight over Federal Policy Wages On
On Friday, August 22, 2025, the Trump administration announced the cancellation of the Revolution Wind project located off the south coast of Rhode Island, east of Block Island. At the time of the stop work order, the project, based out of the State Pier in New London, Connecticut, was approximately 80% complete with foundations in
Project Opponents of Empire Wind Strike Back
As recently reported, on May 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior reversed the stop work order it issued on April 16, 2025, thereby allowing the $5 billion, 2 GW, Empire Wind project to proceed. On June 3, 2025, a coalition of Empire Wind opponents sued the Trump administration in federal court in
Amidst Offshore Wind Moratorium, Empire Wind Back on Track
On May 19, 2025, the U.S. Department of the Interior reversed its April 16 stop work order and allowed the $5 billion, 2 GW, Empire Wind project 12 miles south of Long Island to proceed. The move follows an intensive lobbying effort by the project’s developer, Equinor ASA, who coordinated with federal, state, and city
Coalition of States Dispute Trump Administration’s “National Energy Emergency” Claim
On the heels of an action by states challenging the Trump administration’s efforts to block federal permits for offshore wind development a lawsuit filed by 15 states on May 9, 2025, claims that the administration misapplied the National Emergencies Act in declaring a national energy emergency. The emergency declaration, announced in a January 20, 2025
States Sue Trump Administration Over Blocked Wind Developments
On Monday, May 4, 2025, a coalition of 17 states and the District of Columbia filed suit in Massachusetts District Court over the Trump administration’s efforts to block federal permits for all offshore wind development. The administration’s policy was announced in a January 20, 2025 executive order placing federal permitting of wind projects on hold
First Circuit Rejects Challenges to Federal Permits for Vineyard Wind 1
Below is an excerpt of a legal update co-authored with Real Estate + Development Group lawyer Eden Yerby.
In companion rulings favoring offshore wind developers and federal agencies, the First Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed rulings issued by the District Court (D. Mass.) and dismissed challenges brought by two Vineyard Wind opponents concerning