Revolution Wind Project Set To Resume In CT After Federal Court Ruling

CONNECTICUT — A federal judge has lifted a stop-work order filed against the Revolution Wind project off the coast of Connecticut and Rhode Island, the first ruling since the Trump administration sought the stop of all work on the project in late August.

The move came after the U.S. District Court judge said the government provided no new information to justify the stop-work order.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted the preliminary injunction sought by Revolution Wind regarding the government’s order on Monday. The company filed its injunction on Sept. 4.

"This decision will allow hundreds of skilled workers to get back to work on this vital project for the New England region, which was fully permitted and 80% complete before the stop-work order was issued," State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex), Senate Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, said in a statement. "Once online, this project will generate more than 2% of the power for the entire New England power grid; it represents regional energy stability."

The project is expected to bring power to over 350,000 homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island, or 2.5 percent of the region’s electricity supply, beginning in 2026.

Gov. Ned Lamont said, "I have always said that Connecticut is committed to ensuring that our electric grid is reliable, resilient and that our energy costs become more affordable. Offshore wind and other renewables are central to that effort, but it must be complemented by a diverse mix of resources, including nuclear power, natural gas, hydropower, and other technologies."

The clean power company has already spent about $5 billion on the endeavor, and looked to be on the hook for another $1 billion in breakaway costs should it be halted permanently.

Revolution Wind said it will continue to seek to work collaboratively with the US Administration and other stakeholders toward a prompt resolution.

The Aug. 22 stop work order issued by the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) did not identify any violation of law or imminent threat to safety, according to Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. He called Monday's preliminary injunction "a major win for Connecticut workers and for Connecticut families who need this project on track now so it can start to drive down our unaffordable energy bills."