U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth has ordered the resumption of construction on the Revolution Wind project, a significant offshore wind initiative in Rhode Island. This ruling comes as a setback for the Trump administration, which has sought to halt various renewable energy projects. Lamberth determined that the project would suffer “irreparable harm” if construction remained paused, a decision that could bolster the offshore wind industry as it navigates regulatory challenges.
The Revolution Wind project is currently over 80% complete and was initially scheduled to begin operations this year. The project faced a stop-work order issued by the Trump administration in August 2025, which claimed the developers were hastily advancing through the permitting process without proper agreements in place. The company behind the project, Ørsted, contested this order, asserting that the administration’s actions were unlawful and costing them over $2 million daily during the construction halt.
In September, a federal judge ruled against the administration, labeling the stop-work order as “the height of arbitrary and capricious actions.” The latest ruling from Lamberth reinforces that sentiment, particularly as he suggested that national security concerns raised by the administration might be pretexts to block renewable energy efforts. He noted that the administration delayed a month before issuing the stop-work order despite having knowledge of potential security risks.
During the hearing, Lamberth expressed skepticism about the existence of an emergency, stating, “I’m not persuaded any emergency exists in this case.” He further indicated that the administration’s actions could be viewed as arbitrary and in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act.
The Trump administration has consistently opposed the development of offshore wind projects. In previous statements, Trump has articulated his disapproval, declaring, “My goal is to not let any windmill be built. They’re losers. They lose money, they destroy your landscape.” His administration’s stance has resulted in the suspension of multiple offshore wind projects, including the Empire Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind projects, which were also halted under the December order.
The ruling in favor of Revolution Wind marks a pivotal moment for the renewable energy sector as it seeks to expand amidst political and regulatory challenges. The decision highlights the tensions between renewable energy initiatives and the priorities of the Trump administration, particularly regarding environmental policy and national security considerations.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the administration will respond to this judicial directive and what implications it may have for future offshore wind projects across the United States. This ruling could serve as a precedent for other projects facing similar scrutiny and challenges, potentially paving the way for a renewed focus on renewable energy development in the country.
