Courts Clear Offshore Wind Projects

Federal courts have overturned all five stop-work orders previously issued for offshore wind projects, clearing a significant hurdle for the renewable energy sector. This decision allows major projects like Empire Wind, Revolution Wind, and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind to proceed, aiming to power millions of homes, as reported by edf on February 2, 2026.

The Trump administration's Department of the Interior had issued these stop-work orders on December 22, 2025, citing national security concerns related to potential radar interference, according to a Department of Interior announcement. This move effectively halted construction on several large-scale offshore wind farms along the East Coast.

However, federal judges consistently found that the government failed to adequately explain or justify the decision to halt construction. For instance, Judge Brian Murphy stated on January 27, 2026, that the Interior Department did not provide sufficient reasoning for the pause, as reported by POLITICO Pro.

The rulings have cleared Vineyard Wind, Revolution Wind, Empire Wind, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, and Sunrise Wind to resume work. Collectively, these projects are expected to generate enough clean energy to power approximately 2.5 million homes and businesses on the East Coast, edf confirmed on February 2, 2026.

This series of court victories follows a related December 9, 2025, decision where a federal judge struck down a broader ban on wind energy permitting, which had been imposed by the Trump administration. The Insurance Journal reported that this earlier ruling deemed the executive order "arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law."

The consistent judicial rejection of the administration's actions is being hailed as a major win for clean energy development. Sierra Club Senior Advisor Nancy Pyne stated on February 2, 2026, that these victories demonstrate that offshore wind will prevail despite political roadblocks.

• The Department of the Interior's December 22, 2025, stop-work orders targeted five offshore wind projects, citing national security risks based on classified reports from the Department of War, according to the Department of Interior. These orders were issued despite projects having undergone extensive security reviews during their initial permitting phases.
• Federal judges across various districts, including Judge Royce Lamberth and Judge Brian Murphy, consistently ruled against the administration, finding insufficient explanation for the construction halts. The National Law Review reported on January 27, 2026, that judges noted the government's claims of new classified information did not justify the blanket suspension.
• The delays caused significant financial burdens for the developers, with projects like Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind reporting costs of approximately $5 million per day, as detailed by IEEFA on January 28, 2026. Equinor, developer of Empire Wind, warned of over $4 billion already invested being stranded if the project was terminated.
• The five projects impacted include Vineyard Wind (95% complete), Empire Wind (60% complete), Revolution Wind (80% complete), Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (expected to deliver power by March 2026), and Sunrise Wind (45% complete). These projects are crucial for meeting renewable energy targets and reducing reliance on fossil fuels, as highlighted by EDF on February 2, 2026.
• The December 9, 2025, ruling by U.S. District Judge Patti Saris, which struck down a broader ban on wind energy permitting, set a precedent for challenging the administration's anti-wind policies. The Insurance Journal noted that this decision supported states and clean energy groups who argued the ban was illegal.
• Environmental groups and industry leaders have expressed relief and renewed optimism following the court decisions. Ted Kelly, Director and Lead Counsel for U.S. Clean Energy at Environmental Defense Fund, emphasized on February 2, 2026, the importance of offshore wind for increasing energy supply and stabilizing costs on the East Coast.
• The Trump administration's stance on wind energy has been openly critical, with President Trump stating his goal is "to not let any windmill be built," as reported by The Guardian on February 2, 2026. This political opposition has created significant uncertainty for the industry.
• These court victories underscore the legal limitations on executive authority when national security claims are made without adequate substantiation. The rulings reinforce the need for predictable regulatory processes for large infrastructure projects, as discussed by The National Law Review on January 27, 2026.