Revolution Wind resumes construction after court overturns security halt
The Revolution Wind project, a joint effort by Ørsted and BlackRock, has restarted construction after a federal judge blocked the government's national security concerns. This comes as the White House pushes for broader permitting talks, though tensions remain over renewable energy policies.
The project near Rhode Island had been one of five offshore wind developments halted by the Interior Department in December 2023. All five have now resumed work, with Revolution Wind already generating electricity as of Friday. Of its 65 turbines, 59 are fully installed.
The Trump administration initially chose not to appeal the court's decision in favour of Revolution Wind. However, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum had previously vowed to challenge similar rulings, leaving open the possibility of further stop-work orders. President Trump's long-standing opposition to wind energy adds uncertainty to the projects' future.
On Capitol Hill, permitting negotiations stumbled when senators withdrew over the administration's actions. Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse warned he would pause reform talks if attacks on renewable energy continued. Meanwhile, Republicans have signalled a willingness to re-engage with Democrats on a potential deal.
Revolution Wind's progress marks a temporary win for offshore wind developers, though the threat of renewed stop-work orders lingers. The project's restart also coincides with broader political efforts to advance permitting reforms, despite ongoing disputes over energy policy.
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