Connecticut and Rhode Island are planning to sue the Trump administration over the stop-work order that halted construction of Revolution Wind last month, a project 12 miles off the coast of Aquinnah.
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced the two New England states’ plan to file a lawsuit to overturn the “baseless” order in a Rhode Island federal court on Thursday.
In the same vein, Danish energy company Ørsted, the developer of Revolution Wind, filed a separate lawsuit Thursday in the district court for D.C. against the administration. The company argues the administration lacks the legal authority to block the project, as has been reported by multiple news outlets. In court documents, the company said the order risks billions of dollars in future revenue and was “issued in bad faith.”
The combined effort is one of the first significant steps taken by the offshore wind industry to push back against an administration targeting the industry.
The stop-work order, issued by Matthew Giacona, acting director for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, hit Revolution last month, halting a project that is projected to account for, according to some officials, 2.5 percent of the region’s electricity supply in 2026. Giacona said at the time that the department needs time to “address concerns that have arisen during the review that the Department is undertaking pursuant to the President’s Memorandum of Jan. 20, 2025.” He said those concerns include “protection of national security interests of the U.S. and prevention of interference with reasonable uses of the exclusive economic zone, the high seas, and the territorial seas.”
All activities offshore paused Aug. 22 when the order was issued, a time at which the project was about 80 percent complete (all underwater foundations had been installed and almost 70 percent of turbines).
Connecticut and Rhode Island officials, however, said Thursday that the bureau didn’t identify “any violation of law or imminent threat to safety” and said the concerns were unidentified and without explanation. They plan to file Thursday against the Department of the Interior, BOEM, and their appointed leaders.
The complaint alleges that the order violates the Administrative Procedure Act and the government’s authority under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act; it asks the court to declare the order unlawful and to block the halt of Revolution Wind.
“It’s been nearly two weeks, and the Trump Administration still has not explained or justified its decision to halt construction of Revolution Wind. While this is unacceptable, there is still a path forward if Washington is willing to be a partner,” Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement. “We hoped to work with the Administration to lower energy costs, strengthen grid reliability, create jobs, and drive economic growth, but only if they share those goals. But if they do not, we will act to preserve this vital project and protect the energy future of Connecticut and the entire New England region.”
Conn Governor thinks OSW produces lower energy costs, USA jobs and reliable energy. OSW does not support any of this non-sence. Conn Governor is clearly part of the giant OSW ponzi scheme. ???
Wind power will not survive in Europe or in the US. Orsted cannot sell any stock or corporate bonds to continue as a viable business. Orsted stock fell 52% over the last 52 weeks. Chinese turbine companies produce parts that present several cyber security risks so they will be banned.
China is leading the world in the development of energy production.
America is shutting down science and engineering.
What parts in a wind turbine present a cyber security threat?
Please check your information on the origin of components for the US Offshore Wind turbines. What you are stating is false
National Security Threat: The president of the United States who uses policy-making to protect billionaires oil/coal/nuclear money interests and emptying the pockets of regular Americans, while most other countries are moving forward with creating nearly free energy for their people.
Why would our president do that?
Because wind turbines hurt his eyes.
And he’s getting revenge.
https://www.lawscot.org.uk/news-and-events/legal-news/trump-loses-uksc-appeal-over-offshore-wind-farm-near-golf-resort/
I support harnessing the wind for clean energy. I support the towns and cities building the infrastructure to support the construction of the wind farms. I support the men and women employed on a daily basis building and servicing the wind farms. I don’t mind the lights at night. I desire the future more than the past, the power of the wind more than the power derived from extracted fossils and other living creatures. When I see a sign saying “Keep It Wild” I say to myself “What happened to the Whales?”