US judge revives stalled offshore wind project, overruling Trump
A US federal judge has overturned the Trump administration's suspension of a major offshore wind project near Rhode Island, rejecting its national security justification. The ruling allows Danish developer Ørsted to resume work, preventing daily losses of $1.5 million for the nearly complete renewable energy venture.
US judge revives stalled offshore wind project, overruling Trump
A U.S. federal judge has ruled that Danish energy company Ørsted can resume construction on its Revolution Wind project, overturning a suspension ordered by the Trump administration. The offshore wind farm, located in federal waters south of Rhode Island, is almost 90% complete and is critical for supplying power to the northeastern United States.
Court rejects national security rationale
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth rejected the administration's justification for halting the project, which cited classified Pentagon concerns about potential interference with military radar and surveillance. The judge found the suspension violated administrative procedures and would cause "irreparable harm" to Ørsted, which was facing estimated daily losses of $1.5 million. The December 2025 pause had affected five major East Coast wind projects.
A longstanding policy conflict
The ruling represents a legal setback for President Donald Trump's staunch opposition to wind energy. In a January 2026 meeting with oil executives, Trump explicitly stated, "I’ve told my people we will not approve windmills," criticizing turbines as inefficient and harmful. The administration's broader regulatory challenges to offshore wind align with this long-standing policy stance, creating uncertainty for clean energy investors, a situation watched closely by energy-dependent nations like Türkiye.
Project revival and future challenges
Ørsted announced it would immediately restart work on the Revolution Wind project to deliver clean energy to Rhode Island and Connecticut. The company will continue its legal challenge against the administration's broader regulatory actions. For global observers, including countries like Türkiye which are expanding their own renewable capacity, the case highlights the significant legal and political risks that major infrastructure projects can face in changing political climates.
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