Court Clears Near-Complete Wind Farm to Restart Work

A nearly finished offshore wind farm is getting back to work after a federal judge ruled it can complete its final stretch of construction.

Judge Brian E. Murphy lifted a stop-work order on Vineyard Wind's 804-megawatt project off the Massachusetts coast on January 27. The project was just 5% away from completion when federal officials halted it in December, citing concerns about radar interference and national security.

The victory marks the fourth time in recent weeks that federal courts have overturned attempts to shut down East Coast offshore wind projects. Revolution Wind, Empire Wind, and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind all won similar court battles to keep their projects moving forward.

Vineyard Wind challenged the suspension order in court on January 15. Judge Murphy found the government's action was "likely arbitrary and capricious," noting that the concerns raised applied to operations, not construction work. The judge also recognized that keeping the project frozen would cause permanent damage to the developers and the power supply they're creating.

The massive wind array will deliver clean electricity to southern New England once complete. Vineyard Wind's developers say they're now coordinating with contractors and federal agencies to safely restart construction activities.

The Ripple Effect

This string of court victories sends a clear message about the future of American offshore wind energy. Four major projects representing thousands of megawatts of clean power are now moving forward despite regulatory headwinds.

The Coastal Virginia project, the largest offshore wind farm in U.S. waters, is among those that successfully fought back against shutdown orders. Each court decision strengthens the legal foundation for renewable energy infrastructure across the Atlantic coast.

These projects together will power hundreds of thousands of homes with clean energy. The jobs, reduced emissions, and energy independence they bring will ripple through coastal communities for decades.

Vineyard Wind's near-complete status means New England residents could see new renewable power flowing through the grid soon. After years of planning and construction, the finish line is finally in sight.