Court Clears Offshore Wind Project to Power 350K Homes

Construction crews are heading back to work on a massive offshore wind farm after a federal judge ruled the government's stop-work order was unlawful and unreasonable.

Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the Revolution Wind project to continue building 65 turbines off the coasts of Rhode Island and Connecticut. The $6.2 billion project will send clean electricity to over 350,000 homes and is expected to create thousands of jobs.

The Trump administration had halted the project in December 2025, citing national security concerns about military radar interference. But Judge Lamberth reviewed the classified report and found major problems with the government's reasoning.

The judge pointed out that the Interior Department waited a full month to act on the Defense Department's findings. If the threat was truly urgent, why the delay? The government also failed to properly explain its sudden change in position, which the court called "unreasonable and seemingly unjustified."

This marks the second major court victory for clean energy in recent weeks. In December, another federal judge struck down the president's executive order directing agencies to halt wind energy development, calling it unlawful in a case brought by 17 states and the District of Columbia.

The Revolution Wind project is a partnership between Ørsted and Skyborn Renewables and represents the first multi-state offshore wind farm in U.S. history. The developers plan to have it generating power by 2026.

Four other coastal wind projects were also halted in December, including the Empire Wind project off Long Island. That 54-turbine development started construction in 2024 and will produce 810 megawatts when it reaches full operation in 2027.

The Ripple Effect

Wind and solar power generated 17% of America's electricity in 2024, making them two of the fastest-growing energy sectors in the country. The momentum is building far beyond these two projects.

Offshore wind farms planned from Massachusetts to Virginia could collectively generate enough electricity for 2.7 million homes every year. These projects represent billions in investment and thousands of construction and maintenance jobs in coastal communities.

The court decisions send a clear signal that renewable energy projects with proper permits can move forward. Developers, workers, and communities planning around clean energy now have legal backing to continue their progress.

Judge Lamberth concluded that continuing construction while the government addresses any legitimate concerns is clearly in the public interest. The turbines keep turning, the jobs keep coming, and clean energy keeps growing.