Offshore wind: states and developers sue over Trump's project freeze

The administration paused leases on five East Coast offshore wind projects citing national security; several developers and the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island have filed lawsuits, and Empire Wind has asked the court for expedited review with a Jan. 16 deadline.

The administration announced on Dec. 22 that it paused leases for five large East Coast offshore wind projects, citing national security concerns and without providing specific details. Developers and two states have responded with legal filings seeking to lift the pause and allow work to continue. One developer has asked the court for expedited consideration, saying its project faces a near-term financing threat if construction cannot resume. Known details: - The pause affects five projects including Empire Wind, Sunrise Wind, Vineyard Wind, Revolution Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, and the administration cited national security as the reason without detailing the concerns. - Developers Equinor (Empire Wind) and Orsted (Sunrise Wind and joint ventures) filed suits late Tuesday, and Dominion Energy Virginia previously filed a challenge calling the order arbitrary and unconstitutional. - Connecticut and Rhode Island filed for a preliminary injunction to allow work on Revolution Wind to continue, and Empire Wind LLC requested expedited consideration by the U.S. District Court in Washington, saying the project likely will be terminated if work cannot resume by Jan. 16. Summary: The pause has halted activity on multiple large offshore wind projects and prompted coordinated legal challenges from project developers and two states. Near-term developments include expedited court requests and motions for preliminary injunctions; the ultimate outcome remains undetermined.