Offshore wind developers are taking the Trump administration to court after a sudden federal order froze roughly twenty five billion dollars worth of major clean energy projects already deep into construction. The lawsuits signal a sharp escalation in tensions between renewable energy companies and federal regulators, as developers argue that the move threatens investor confidence, state climate goals, and thousands of jobs tied to offshore wind expansion.
The legal challenge centers on a December twenty second directive from the Department of the Interior that stopped work on five offshore wind projects expected to deliver six gigawatts of electricity. Developers say the halt was imposed without adequate explanation and ignored years of environmental reviews, defense coordination, and federal approvals that allowed the projects to move forward.
Two lawsuits were filed late last week by Ørsted and Equinor. Ørsted is leading the Revolution Wind project, while Equinor is developing Empire Wind off the coast of New York. A third lawsuit was filed earlier by Dominion Energy, which is building the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project near Virginia Beach.
These developments are not early stage experiments. Revolution Wind is close to completion, with nearly ninety percent of construction finished. Empire Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind are both roughly sixty percent complete. Dominion Energy has said the halt is costing the company about five million dollars per day, a figure that highlights how disruptive the pause has become.
Developers argue that stopping projects at this advanced stage creates severe financial exposure. Offshore wind construction relies on specialized vessels, long term equipment contracts, and narrow weather windows. Any interruption can quickly cascade into supply chain delays and ballooning costs, especially when international contractors are involved.
One high profile offshore wind project has not yet filed a lawsuit. Avangrid, which is developing Vineyard Wind One off Massachusetts, has not taken legal action so far. Nearly half of that project is already operational and producing electricity, though it has also faced scrutiny during the broader federal review of offshore wind activity.
The Trump administration justified the construction halt by citing national security concerns. While federal officials did not publicly outline detailed findings, the concern appears linked to the potential for offshore wind turbines to interfere with military radar systems. The spinning blades of turbines can create radar clutter that complicates aircraft and vessel detection under certain conditions.
Industry experts note that radar interference from wind turbines is a well known issue that has been studied for more than a decade. Federal agencies and private companies have developed mitigation strategies designed to address these challenges. A Department of Energy report released in early twenty twenty four outlined both the risks and the technical solutions available, including improved radar hardware and advanced signal processing.
Developers emphasize that site selection is one of the most effective ways to reduce interference. Offshore wind projects undergo extensive review before construction begins, often involving close coordination with the Department of Defense. Locations are evaluated to avoid sensitive military operations, flight paths, and radar installations whenever possible.
In addition to careful siting, developers frequently agree to operational safeguards. These can include funding radar upgrades, sharing real time turbine data, and curtailing operations during specific military exercises. Vineyard Wind One’s environmental review details such commitments, including coordination with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and the Military Aviation and Installation Assurance Siting Clearinghouse.
Despite these measures, developers say the Interior Department’s decision applied a broad stop work order instead of addressing concerns on a project by project basis. The lawsuits argue that this approach violates established federal procedures and disregards mitigation agreements already in place.
The legal fight also reflects a wider shift in federal policy toward offshore wind during the Trump administration. Earlier last year, approvals for new offshore wind projects were paused nationwide. Construction on Empire Wind and Revolution Wind was also temporarily halted before some work resumed following state negotiations and court intervention.
In the case of Revolution Wind, a federal judge previously struck down an earlier stop work order, allowing construction to restart. New York State officials had intervened as well, emphasizing the project’s importance to state energy targets and economic development plans.
State governments along the East Coast have invested heavily in offshore wind as a cornerstone of their clean energy strategies. These projects are seen as essential for meeting emissions reduction goals while supplying large amounts of power near densely populated coastal regions. Developers warn that unpredictable federal actions could undermine years of planning and discourage future investment.
Electricity demand is expected to rise sharply over the next decade due to data centers, electric vehicles, and broader electrification. Offshore wind offers one of the few scalable options capable of delivering gigawatt level power without carbon emissions. Industry leaders argue that halting projects already under construction sends a damaging signal at a critical moment for the energy transition.
The outcome of the lawsuits could shape the future of offshore wind development in the United States. A ruling in favor of developers could reinforce limits on federal agencies’ ability to pause approved infrastructure without clear, project specific evidence. A ruling for the administration could give regulators broader authority to intervene even after construction is well underway.
For now, turbines remain unfinished offshore, crews wait for direction, and billions of dollars sit idle. As the cases move through the courts, the decisions will likely determine not only the fate of these specific projects but also the long term stability of offshore wind investment across the country.
