Judge Lets 90% Complete Wind Farm Resume Construction

A nearly completed offshore wind farm will start spinning again after a federal judge lifted a construction freeze that threatened to shut down the project just weeks before it could power homes across two states.

Senior Judge Royce Lamberth ruled Monday that Revolution Wind, which is 90% built off the coasts of Rhode Island and Connecticut, can resume construction. The Trump administration had ordered work stopped in December over national security concerns but didn't explain why a complete halt was necessary or provide sufficient reasoning for the policy change.

The timing of the freeze created an urgent crisis for the project. A specialized vessel needed to install the remaining turbines has a contract that expires in February, and every day of delay costs more than $1.4 million.

Attorney Janice Schneider told the court that Revolution Wind has received all its federal permits and was weeks away from beginning to deliver power to the electric grid. The government hasn't shared details about its security concerns, even with company experts who hold security clearances.

This marks the second time Judge Lamberth has allowed Revolution Wind to proceed. He previously ruled in September that the project could resume after an earlier pause, citing irreparable harm to the developers.

Three major energy companies are now fighting similar freezes on their East Coast wind projects. Danish company Orsted, Norwegian company Equinor, and Dominion Energy Virginia each filed lawsuits challenging the administration's December order that halted five large offshore wind farms.

New York's attorney general also sued last week to protect two wind projects in that state.

The Ripple Effect

Revolution Wind represents more than just clean energy infrastructure. The project creates construction jobs, reduces reliance on fossil fuels, and demonstrates that renewable energy investments can reach completion despite political headwinds.

Rhode Island and Connecticut joined the lawsuit to save the project, recognizing its importance to their states' energy futures. Both states are counting on offshore wind to provide reliable, clean electricity to their residents.

The judge's decision protects not just this one wind farm but potentially sets a precedent for other renewable energy projects facing sudden administrative changes. When projects follow all the rules, obtain proper permits, and invest billions of dollars, courts can provide stability even when political winds shift.

Work crews can now race against the February deadline to finish installing turbines and begin delivering power to homes that have been waiting for this clean energy source.