Offshore Wind Energy Contact: Michael McShane, National Wildlife Federation, McShaneM@nwf.org, 202-731-3413
WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 2, 2026) — Baseless halts to responsible offshore wind development by the federal government interfere with efforts to protect wildlife, reduce carbon emissions, and address the rising demand for energy. All five fully permitted offshore wind projects actively under construction have been granted approval by the court to continue construction and operation activities.
“Offshore wind energy projects are subject to a years-long review process to identify wind energy areas, lease areas, and construction sites, with numerous evaluations and comment periods to receive input from environmental groups, the military, and the public,” said Amber Hewett, senior director of offshore wind energy at the National Wildlife Federation. “Offshore wind energy is necessary to meet the demand for affordable, reliable power while addressing the threat to wildlife and habitat created by an overreliance on high-polluting energy sources. The fact that all five offshore wind projects are now back at work enables our country to stay on track to achieve those goals.”
After failing in 2025 to stop responsible offshore wind development through the Department of the Interior and Department of Justice, on December 22, 2025 the Trump Administration issued a stop work order on all offshore wind projects citing unspecified national security concerns from the Department of Defense. The developers of all five projects filed lawsuits challenging these alleged concerns, pointing towards their years-long engagement with the Pentagon throughout the development process — some dating back to the first Trump Administration.
Each developer has committed to continue working with the federal government to address their concerns. Below is a project-by-project breakdown:
Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind: The project sued on December 23, 2025, in the U.S. District Court of Eastern Virginia. CVOW also filed a motion for a temporary restraining order on December 29, which was denied. A preliminary injunction was granted by Judge Jamar K. Walker on January 16.
Revolution Wind: The project sued on January 1, by adding a complaint to their previous, ongoing case in response to the first Trump Administration stop work order against the project. The government filed their opposition brief on January 8, citing an updated assessment by the Department of Defense of the risks to military radar, operations, and readiness from turbine rotation as well as concerns of evolving global threats from adversaries. Following a January 12 hearing, Judge Royce C. Lamberth granted a preliminary injunction to Ørsted on the same day.
Empire Wind 1: The project sued on January 2, with a hearing held on January 14. The New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit opposing the stop work order on January 9 in the District Court for the District of Columbia opposing the stop work order. Judge Carl J. Nichols granted the preliminary injunction to Equinor on January 15, allowing construction to resume.
Sunrise Wind: The project sued on January 6, with a preliminary injunction hearing held on February 2. The New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit opposing the stop work order on January 9 in the District Court for the District of Columbia opposing the stop work order. Judge Royce C. Lamberth granted the preliminary injunction to Equinor on February 2, allowing construction to resume.
Vineyard Wind 1: The project sued on January 15, with a hearing held on January 23 in the District Court of Massachusetts. Judge Brian E. Murphy issued a stay from the bench, allowing the 95% complete project to resume construction.
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