Judge Allows Virginia's $11B Wind Farm to Resume Work

A federal judge just cleared the way for construction crews to return to work on what will become the nation's largest offshore wind farm, ending a costly stoppage that threatened to delay clean energy for millions.

Judge Jamar Walker ruled Friday that Dominion Energy can resume building its massive Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, which stretches up to 44 miles off Virginia Beach. The $11 billion project already has $9 billion invested and was losing $5 million each day during the pause.

The federal government had issued a 90-day stop-work order in December, citing national security concerns. But Judge Walker found the order too vague, noting it failed to explain specific risks from the Virginia project itself.

"The government can't just wave around 'national security' as a magic wand," said Dominion attorney James Auslander during the hearing. The judge agreed, saying any security concerns would likely relate to operating the turbines, not building them.

The decision marks the third offshore wind victory this week along the East Coast. Similar projects off New York and New England also won court approval to restart after challenging the same federal order.

The Ripple Effect

This project represents more than a decade of planning and cooperation. Dominion acquired the lease in 2013 and worked closely with military agencies to address concerns, given the farm's location near several defense installations. The company even paid $250,000 for radar upgrades to prevent potential interference.

The timing couldn't be better for the Mid-Atlantic's strained power grid. PJM Interconnection, which manages regional electricity, filed a brief supporting the restart. They emphasized the region desperately needs new energy sources to handle surging demand from data centers and other growth.

Thousands of union construction workers are ready to return to their jobs. North America's Building Trades Unions joined Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine in supporting the project's continuation.

The wind farm is expected to begin delivering electricity to homes and businesses within weeks, with full construction finishing later this year. Once complete, it will power communities across Virginia with clean, renewable energy while creating long-term maintenance jobs.

After years of careful planning and billions invested, America's biggest offshore wind project is back on track to light up the future.