Massachusetts offshore wind project asks court to block Trump pause

Vineyard Wind asked a federal court to block the Interior Department's December 22 pause on offshore wind leases; the project is reported to be about 95% complete and says it is losing roughly $2 million a day.

Vineyard Wind, an offshore wind project off Massachusetts, asked a U.S. federal court to block the Interior Department's recent suspension of offshore wind activity. The filing seeks a temporary restraining order and an injunction to lift the department's December 22 pause. The project is a joint venture of Spain's Iberdrola and Denmark's Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and is reported to be about 95% complete. The company told the court it is already sending power to the grid and is losing about $2 million a day because of the order. Known details: - Vineyard Wind filed for a temporary restraining order and an injunction to lift the Interior Department's Dec. 22 pause. - The project is reported to be about 95% complete and was expected to be finished by March 31. - Vineyard Wind said it is already supplying power to the grid and is losing about $2 million per day due to the pause. - The administration suspended leases for five offshore wind projects citing national security concerns tied to radar interference. - A federal judge in Washington on the same day allowed construction to proceed on an Equinor project off New York, a separate legal setback for the administration. Summary: The company's court filing asks judges to undo the Interior Department suspension and allow work to continue on Vineyard Wind. The pause has financial and schedule implications for this project and others, and related court rulings are already influencing how the administration's actions play out. Undetermined at this time.