The offshore wind energy sector in the United States is undergoing a legal uncertainty crisis following the Trump administration’s decision to halt five key projects on the East Coast on December 22, 2025. The Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) have imposed a 90-day suspension because, according to them, these constructions could interfere with military radars, posing a national security risk.
This measure has triggered an immediate legal response from Dominion Energy and the Danish firm Ørsted, which has moved from caution to legal action with its Revolution Wind project. The conflict involves billions of dollars daily, as well as the stability of electricity prices and the energy supply for millions of homes from Virginia to New England.
A government whim?
On December 22, 2025, when several wind farm projects were about to be completed, the Trump administration decided to halt the work for a period of 90 days. The U.S. Department of the Interior decreed the suspension of offshore lease contracts for five projects under development. The official justification was made public through the BOEM, and it referred to reviewing whether the turbines posed interference with military radars, thus posing a threat to national security. Specifically, five wind farms affecting regional power supply have been halted:
- Vineyard Wind, Massachusetts.
- Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind.
- Revolution Wind, Rhode Island and Connecticut.
- Sunrise Wind along with Empire Wind 1, New York.
Affected companies
The main companies involved are Ørsted, a Danish company that is a leader in the wind energy sector, which has two stalled projects. Also Dominion Energy, which has a large-scale project in Virginia, the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind. The latter did not hesitate to go to court to denounce what, in its view, is a government whim, and which lacks legal basis since years have passed since the reviews that were carried out before starting the projects.
Additionally, the company claims that each day of inactivity results in millions in losses, which could ultimately be reflected in consumer bills. In Ørsted’s case, they initially leaned toward a more flexible position, but on January 1, 2026, the alliance between Ørsted and Skyborn Renewables stepped up and joined the legal battle, claiming that their Revolution Mind project is almost complete, at 87%. Meanwhile, Sunrise Wind, also under Ørsted’s control, maintains a more cautious stance, exploring legal avenues without having yet made the decisive move into litigation.
Consequences
The consequences of this battle are not just legal. In the case of coastal states, the Sunrise Wind and Revolution Wind parks together could power nearly 950,000 homes, reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Moreover, this halt also puts the jobs of thousands of workers at ports like New London at risk, posing an economic problem for many families. Although the government insists that national security is a priority, industry advocates point out that these projects have already successfully passed years of rigorous environmental and safety reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Which wind energy projects have been halted and why?
The government stopped the Vineyard Wind, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Revolution Wind, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind 1 projects. The official justification is a 90-day review to determine whether the turbines interfere with military radar and affect national security.
What has been the legal reaction of the affected companies?
Dominion Energy sued the government, calling the measure “whimsical” and without legal basis, since the projects had already gone through years of prior reviews. Ørsted also joined the legal battle, especially to protect its Revolution Wind project, which is already 87% complete.
What consequences does this shutdown have for the public and the local economy?
The suspension puts thousands of jobs at risk in ports like New London and slows down the supply of clean energy to nearly a million homes. In addition, the daily multimillion-dollar losses due to inactivity could lead to an increase in electricity bills for citizens.
