A federal judge in Boston has granted a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's stop-work order on the 806-megawatt Vineyard Wind project. The decision marks the fourth federal court setback for the administration's offshore wind pause.
US offshore wind continues to fight back against Trump's attacks, with Revolution Wind and Empire Wind also cleared to resume construction despite the Interior Department's national security justification for halting work. A federal judge in Washington, DC ruled that the US Department of the Interior's suspension order on Revolution Wind was 'arbitrary and capricious,' in violation of federal law.
The decision comes as the offshore wind industry faces soaring costs, a shakier grid, and a clear message to investors that even fully permitted US energy projects aren't safe from political whiplash. Vineyard Wind is 95% complete and already sending power to the grid, while Revolution Wind is expected to deliver electricity to over 350,000 homes under 20-year power purchase agreements with utilities in Rhode Island and Connecticut.
The project was on track to start generating power as early as January 2026, before the stop-work order was issued.
The Trump administration's repeated attempts to halt offshore wind construction are a clear example of the need for greater transparency and accountability in the review process. By engaging with federal agencies on national security reviews since signing its lease in 2017, Equinor has demonstrated a commitment to addressing concerns and ensuring that projects like Empire Wind meet the necessary standards.
