Judge allows Ørsted to resume Revolution Wind project after Trump block
Federal court overturns order halting the Rhode Island offshore wind farm; project is 80% complete and could power about 350,000 homes, with White House appeals looming.
A federal judge ruled that Ørsted may resume work on the Revolution Wind offshore wind project off Rhode Island, overturning a Trump-era order that halted construction last month as part of a broader push against renewable energy. The decision clears a path for a project that has faced political headwinds but is nearing completion and aimed at expanding clean power along the U.S. Northeast.
The Revolution Wind project is about 80% complete, with 45 of 65 turbines already installed. It is located roughly 15 miles off the Rhode Island coast and is expected to generate enough electricity to power about 350,000 homes. Ørsted said it would resume work “as soon as possible,” signaling a return to a construction schedule that had been interrupted by the halt.
The ruling sent Ørsted’s shares higher by around 4% in response to the news. Analysts cautioned that the victory could be short-lived if the White House appeals the decision or takes further regulatory action against other offshore wind projects. The case highlights the continuing political and regulatory uncertainty surrounding renewable energy development in the United States, even as offshore wind capacity grows in the Northeast.
Ørsted said it would work with federal and state authorities to restart construction promptly and continue to advance the project toward completion. The Revolution Wind project is a cornerstone of regional efforts to expand clean power generation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, though its fate has become entwined with shifting political dynamics at the national level.
The unfolding situation illustrates how energy policy and regulatory actions at the federal level can have immediate, concrete effects on project timelines and investor sentiment, even for projects that have already progressed significantly. While proponents point to renewables as a path to cutting emissions, opponents have pressed for closer scrutiny of permitting processes and potential environmental impacts. As the White House weighs its options, observers will be watching how this decision influences subsequent offshore wind approvals across the country.
