US Judge rules Trump can't block Rhode Island offshore Wind Project

A federal judge ruled that the Danish offshore wind developer Orsted could restart the work on the almost finished Revolution Wind project, off the coasts of Rhode Island. The project was halted by President Donald Trump’s administration last month. Trump's efforts to stop offshore wind expansion in U.S. waterways have been hampered by the ruling. Orsted has won a tangible victory, as it is losing $2 million per day since August 22, when the project was stopped.

Revolution Wind is located about 15 miles from the coast. Once it's completed, the project is expected to generate enough electricity to power over 350,000 homes across Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Orsted's U.S. listed shares rose nearly 9% to $11.60 after the ruling of U.S. district judge Royce Lamberth.

The U.S. Interior Department stated that it will continue to monitor the project as work progresses.

A spokesperson for the Interior Department said, "As a direct result of today's Court decision, Revolution Wind can resume construction while BOEM (the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management), continues its investigation of possible impacts of the project on national security and the prevention of other uses of the Outer Continental Shelf."

Attorneys from the Trump administration argued that this project located off the coasts of Rhode Island failed to adhere to the conditions of the permit relating to conflicts with national safety and scientific ocean surveys.

Revolution Wind disputes these claims.

After a two-hour hearing in Washington, Lamberth granted a preliminary order that prevents the Trump administration from enforcing its order to stop construction.

Lamberth, an experienced judge appointed by Ronald Reagan as Republican president, claimed that the Trump administration gave contradictory explanations for its stop-work order and that, weeks later, the government's actions were "arbitrary and capricious".

He said that Revolution Wind relied on assurances from the government, which were then withdrawn without proper process. This put a $5 billion investment at risk. Lamberth warned that if Revolution Wind fails to meet benchmark deadlines the project may collapse. Orsted, along with its joint venture partner Skyborn Renewables, had requested a preliminary order in their lawsuit filed earlier this week challenging the U.S. Interior Department's order to stop work.

Orsted's spokesperson stated that "Revolution Wind" would resume construction as soon as it is safe to do so. The company also said they would continue their efforts with the government to find a solution.

Rhode Island and Connecticut

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The administration of the stop-work order

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont released a statement applauding the ruling.

The ruling today allowing Revolution Wind's resumed work is a great encouragement for our workers and energy future. Lamont stated that they would continue to work with the federal government in order to find a sustainable path forward on this project, and also on energy priorities. (Reporting from Jan Wolfe in Washington, Valerie Volcovici and Nichola Grroom in Los Angeles. Editing by David Gregorio.)

(source: Reuters)