The states of Rhode Island and Connecticut, along with the developer of the Revolution Wind offshore wind farm, have filed lawsuits against the US administration for its stop work order against the project.
Revolution Wind is a joint venture between Danish energy giant Ørsted and a Skyborn Renewables-led consortium.
The developer has initiated legal action against the US Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM).
It has filed a complaint in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, challenging the legality of a recent stop-work order issued by BOEM, with a request for a preliminary injunction to follow.
It contends that BOEM overstepped its legal authority in issuing the stop-work order, which Revolution Wind argues is in violation of applicable law.
The company has expressed its intention to collaborate with the administration and stakeholders to resolve the issue promptly.
However, it deems litigation a necessary step due to the “substantial harm” the project faces from the continuation of the stop-work order.
Meanwhile, the states’ lawsuit calls Revolution Wind a “cornerstone” of its clean energy future, saying the project “was abruptly halted by federal officials without statutory authority, regulatory justification, or factual basis”.
The stop-work order, originating by the Trump administration, has raised concerns among business and government leaders in New England.
The project, which is 80% complete, has secured all necessary federal and state permits after a comprehensive review process spanning over nine years, involving multiple federal agencies such as the Department of Defence, Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, and National Marine Fisheries Service.
It is poised to play a pivotal role in the Northeast's energy supply, supporting job creation, Ørsted said.
This includes the power needs of the data centres and AI sectors with experts having warned that any delay in the project could lead to higher electricity costs for New England.
Set to power over 350,000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island by 2026, the 704MW Revolution Wind project has completed all offshore foundations and about 70% of wind turbines.
The export cable installation is nearly finished, with the onshore substation 90% complete.
ISO New England, responsible for the regional electric grid, has cautioned that project delays could heighten risks to reliability.
