Offshore wind projects halted by Trump administration spark $25B legal battle

The offshore wind projects halted by the Trump administration have triggered a sharp legal response from developers. Five projects, valued at $25 billion, were stopped by the Department of the Interior on December 22. If completed, these projects would collectively generate 6 gigawatts of electricity. As a result, developers have moved quickly to challenge the decision through the courts.

The lawsuits underscore how regulatory action can immediately reshape capital-intensive energy projects. Offshore wind developers argue that the sudden halt threatens project viability, investor confidence, and near-term energy output. At the center of the dispute is whether national security concerns justify stopping projects already deep into construction.

Offshore wind developers take legal action over halted projects

Two lawsuits were filed late last week by Ørsted and Equinor. Ørsted is developing the 704-megawatt Revolution Wind project, while Equinor is behind the 2-gigawatt Empire Wind project. A separate lawsuit was filed by Dominion Energy, which is constructing the 2.6-gigawatt Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project.

Project completion levels add urgency to the claims. Revolution Wind is nearly 90% complete. Empire Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind are each about 60% complete. Dominion Energy stated it is losing $5 million per day due to the construction halt, highlighting the immediate financial impact.

National security concerns drive the offshore wind project halt

The Department of the Interior cited national security concerns when it ordered construction to stop. While no specific details were provided, the concerns appear linked to how wind turbines can interfere with radar systems. A Department of Energy report from February 2024 discussed these challenges and outlined possible solutions.

Wind turbines’ rotating blades can disrupt radar operations. However, researchers in both government and private sectors have worked on mitigation strategies for more than a decade. These efforts suggest the issue is known, studied, and technically addressable rather than newly discovered.

Radar mitigation and site planning shape offshore wind approvals

Site selection remains one of the most effective ways to reduce radar interference. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management coordinates with the Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse to review offshore wind projects individually. This process aims to resolve conflicts related to single or multiple projects before construction advances.

Vineyard Wind 1 illustrates this approach. The project agreed to help fund radar adaptations and curtail operations when requested by the Pentagon. Nearly half of Vineyard Wind 1 is already operational, and its developer, Avangrid, has not yet filed a lawsuit.

Legal uncertainty compounds offshore wind project delays

The current lawsuits follow earlier actions by the Trump administration to halt approvals for new offshore wind projects. Empire Wind and Revolution Wind were previously paused. Revolution Wind later restarted after negotiations with New York State, and a federal judge struck down a stop-work order affecting it.

These reversals reveal a policy environment marked by uncertainty. For developers, shifting regulatory decisions complicate timelines, financing, and execution. For stakeholders, the lawsuits raise broader questions about how national security assessments intersect with energy infrastructure already under construction.

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With billions invested and projects nearing completion, how should policymakers balance security concerns against sunk costs and energy goals?

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