In a significant legal setback for the Trump administration, a federal judge has cleared the way for a major New York offshore wind project to resume construction, just days after it was halted by an executive order.
Court Victory for Renewable Energy
On Thursday, District Judge Carl J. Nichols, a Donald Trump appointee, ruled that work on the Empire Wind project could proceed while he considers the merits of the government's suspension order. Judge Nichols criticised the administration for failing to respond to key legal arguments from the developer, including claims that proper procedure was violated.
The project's owner, Norwegian energy giant Equinor, welcomed the decision. Spokesperson David Schoetz stated the company would continue collaborating with authorities. This marks the second court victory for wind developers this week, following a similar ruling for Orsted's Revolution Wind project serving Rhode Island and Connecticut.
Administration's 'Bogus' National Security Claim Challenged
The Trump administration froze five major offshore wind projects on the US East Coast just before Christmas, citing national security concerns. President Trump has repeatedly criticised wind energy, recently labelling farms "losers" that lose money and spoil landscapes.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul strongly applauded the court's decision, dismissing the administration's rationale. "The projects had been stopped under the bogus pretense of national security," she told reporters. "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... Well, lo and behold, they had no answer."
During hearings, the government's associate attorney general, Stanley Woodward Jr., argued against distinguishing between construction and operational risks, comparing it to opposing a risky nuclear project at any stage.
Broader Implications for US Clean Energy
The ruling is a crucial reprieve for the 60% complete Empire Wind project, which is designed to power over 500,000 homes. Equinor had warned that the pause, due to limited vessel availability and mounting financial losses, threatened to kill the project entirely.
The legal battles continue across other paused developments:
- Orsted is also suing over the pause of its Sunrise Wind project for New York.
- Dominion Energy Virginia plans to ask a judge to block the order for its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project.
- Vineyard Wind in Massachusetts has joined other developers in challenging the administration in a Boston court.
This domestic controversy contrasts sharply with global trends. China leads the world in new offshore wind installations, and nearly all new electricity added to grids globally in 2024 was renewable. Notably, the British government recently secured a record 8.4 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity in Europe's largest auction.
Opposition remains, however. Robin Shaffer, president of Protect Our Coast New Jersey, supported the administration's pause and urged an immediate appeal of the adverse rulings.
