U.S. Judge Overrules Trump's Danish Wind Project Ban
US District Judge Royce Lamberth invalidated the government's work stoppage, determining it breached administrative protocols and constitutional due process standards. The ruling comes as Orsted hemorrhages an estimated $1.5 million per day during the standstill.
Revolution Wind sits in federal waters approximately 15 miles off Rhode Island's southern coast. Construction stands between 87% and 90% complete, with power delivery to Rhode Island and Connecticut originally slated for this year.
Last month, the administration froze five significant Atlantic coast wind developments, invoking undisclosed Pentagon intelligence that purportedly identified national security vulnerabilities. Officials suggested the installations could disrupt military radar operations, compromise North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) monitoring capabilities, and potentially enable hostile nation surveillance equipment near high-density population centers. The government released no specifics publicly.
Judge Lamberth found the pause inflicted irreparable financial damage on Orsted, compelling immediate relief for the renewable developer.
President Donald Trump has maintained unwavering hostility toward wind power throughout his political career. During a White House gathering with petroleum industry executives on Jan. 9, 2026, he declared: "I've told my people we will not approve windmills."
The president characterizes wind turbines as economically wasteful, operationally inadequate, and environmentally destructive to natural scenery and animal populations. He has vowed to prohibit new wind energy authorizations throughout his term. The 2025 multi-project freeze reflects this documented policy position.
Orsted announced it will restart work immediately to supply cost-effective renewable electricity to the Northeast while pursuing ongoing litigation.
The Denmark-headquartered corporation has committed substantial capital to American offshore wind infrastructure as part of its international growth initiative, though it now confronts escalating regulatory barriers under an administration fundamentally opposed to offshore wind expansion.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
