Offshore wind developers, including Ørsted and Equinor, have filed legal challenges in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the federal government’s December 22, 2025 order halting construction on major Atlantic wind projects.
The lawsuits seek immediate preliminary injunctions to reverse the 90-day lease suspensions imposed by the Department of the Interior. Developers argue that the order violates applicable law, as it ignores years of rigorous national security and technical reviews already completed by federal agencies.
Ørsted’s Revolution Wind project is 87% complete, with foundations and 58 of 65 turbines already installed. Equinor’s Empire Wind project is more than 60% complete.
The Department of the Interior cited “national security risks” related to radar interference as the basis for the pause. However, developers noted that previous formal agreements with the Department of War and the Air Force already established comprehensive mitigation measures for these concerns.
A federal court hearing on the request for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for January 12, 2026.
The five projects currently suspended include Revolution Wind (RI/CT), Empire Wind 1 (NY), Sunrise Wind (NY), Vineyard Wind 1 (MA), and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (VA).
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