Trump-stalled offshore wind project can restart, judge says
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A federal judge on Monday ordered that an offshore wind project off the coast of Rhode Island can resume construction, following the Trump administration's stop-work order last month.
Why it matters: Investors and New England lawmakers are closely watching the legal battle over the Revolution Wind project, which is jointly owned by Ørsted and BlackRock's Global Infrastructure Partners.
Zoom in: U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, in Washington, said construction can resume as part of a lawsuit that was filed earlier this month by the project's owners.
- The judge granted the injunction request but a full opinion has yet to be filed.
- Revolution Wind said in a statement: "Revolution Wind will resume impacted construction work as soon as possible, with safety as the top priority."
- The underlying lawsuit challenging the stop-work order progresses.
What they're saying: "The swift decision by a federal district court is a victory not just for the parties involved, but simple commonsense," Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) said in a statement.
- The Interior Department said in a statement: "As a result of the Court's decision today, Revolution Wind will be able to resume construction as [Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management] continues its investigation into possible impacts by the project to national security and prevention of other uses on the Outer Continental Shelf.
- "The Department of the Interior remains committed to ensuring that prior decisions are legally and factually sound."
Catch up quick: The owners of Revolution Wind say they have already spent $5 billion on the project and that it's 80% complete.
- The project is designed to provide power to around 350,000 homes and was fully permitted.
- A similar stop-work order by the Trump administration in New York cost that operator at least $50 million per week.
- The administration also plans to pull existing permits for a planned wind project in Maryland, which is partially owned by Apollo Global Management and expected to power over 700,000 homes.
The big picture: The judge's request is the latest blow to the Trump administration's efforts to halt offshore wind projects that are already well underway.
- Investors closely watching the legal proceedings will have some relief that funded U.S. energy infrastructure projects can take shelter in the court system.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with response from Interior Department.
