WASHINGTON (AP) — The Empire Wind offshore project in New York received a boost on Thursday as a federal judge ruled that construction can proceed, defying a Trump administration order seeking to halt the work under national security pretenses.
District Judge Carl J. Nichols, appointed by Trump, declared that the project could advance while he deliberates the legal merits of the order to stop construction. The judge criticized the government for failing to adequately address critical counterpoints raised by the legal team representing Empire Wind, arguing that the order violated established procedures.
Equinor, a Norwegian energy company, develops the Empire Wind project and successfully contested the administration’s authority for the second time this week following a similar win for another developer.
Days before Christmas, the Trump administration announced a freeze on several significant offshore wind initiatives along the East Coast, citing unfounded national security issues. President Trump has consistently opposed offshore wind projects, labeling them as financially unsound and detrimental to nature.
Legal actions against the administration have surged since the pause, with developers emphasizing the necessity of offshore wind in states like New York, which requires renewable solutions to meet energy demands.
In a hearing, Judge Nichols mentioned that the core of the government’s security anxiety targeted the operational phase of the wind turbines and not the construction itself. Attorney Stanley Woodward expressed skepticism about the detrimental consequences claimed by Empire Wind, comparing it to halting a nuclear project over security threats.
As the Empire Wind project nears completion, it's expected to power over 500,000 homes, continuously battling the challenges posed by the limited availability of specialized vessels and significant financial setbacks.
Despite the uncertain regulatory landscape, Equinor remains determined to advance the project as a vital energy source for New York.
