A federal judge said Tuesday that a nearly completed Massachusetts offshore wind project can continue, as the industry successfully challenges the Trump administration in court.
Traffic Cam: Crash on I-295 South on Buckman Bridge, right lane blocked‘You expect honesty’: Crime analyst says integrity is essential after 5th JFRD firefighter placed on leaveByron Donalds speaks in Ponte Vedra on Florida immigration enforcement, property taxes, vaccine mandatesFILE - Giant wind turbine blades for the Vineyard Winds project are stacked on racks in the harbor, July 11, 2023, in New Bedford, Mass.
– A federal judge said Tuesday that a nearly completed Massachusetts offshore wind project can continue, as the industry successfully challenges the Trump administration in court. At U.S. District Court in Boston, Judge Brian Murphy halted the administration's stop work order for Vineyard Wind, citing the potential economic losses from the delays and the developers' likelihood of success on their claims. Vineyard Wind is one of five big offshore wind projects on the East Coast thatseeking to block the administration's order. Prior to Vineyard Wind's hearing, federal judges had allowed three of the five to restart construction: thefor Virginia by Dominion Energy Virginia. Those three judges essentially concluded that the government did not show that the national security risk is so imminent that construction must halt, said Carl Tobias, a University of Richmond Law School professor who has been following the lawsuits. Orsted is also suing over the administration halting its Sunrise Wind project for New York— the fifth paused project — but has not had a hearing yet. Vineyard Wind is a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, located 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts. It is 95% complete and partially operational, able to produce nearly 600 megawatts of power for the New England electric grid, according to the complaint. Before the pause, it was on track to be complete by the end of March, with 62 turbines generating a total of 800 megawatts. That is enough clean electricity to power about 400,000 homes. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said the completion of this project is essential to ensuring the state can lower costs, meet rising energy demand, advance its climate goals and sustain thousands of good-paying jobs. The administration's announcement that paused construction did not reveal specifics about its national security concerns. But in a court filing, Matthew Giacona, acting director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, said he reviewed classified documents in November that discussed direct impacts to national security that arise from operating offshore wind projects near early warning monitoring and radar systems. Giacona said he determined the ongoing activities for the Vineyard Wind project did not “adequately provide for the protection of national security interests,” absent potential mitigation measures. Given its nearly complete status, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management decided to allow Vineyard Wind to continue partially operating during the suspension period while it consulted with defense officials and the owners, Giacona said. But he said he is not aware of any measures that would mitigate the national security risks.Research from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows that states with the most utility-scale wind and solar often have low electricity prices, supported by federal tax incentives. However, states with aggressive, binding programs to mandate more renewable energy have seen prices increase as a result of those policies, according to the study. Turbines, like all infrastructure, can pose a risk to birds. The National Audubon Society, which is dedicated to the conservation of birds, thinksWhite House spokesperson Taylor Rogers has said the construction pause is meant to protect the national security of the American people and Trump has been clear that “wind energy is the scam of the century."broke apart and began washing onto Nantucket beaches in July 2024 during the peak of tourist season. Manufacturer GE Vernova agreed toThe Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’sCopyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Bartram Trail star Avery Hartley leads Varsity 4 All-News4JAX girls XC teamBeachside's Sofia Rivera leads Varsity 4 All-News4JAX girls golf teamQuestions raised after pediatrician says public not alerted quickly to 2 local measles casesJudge orders woman accused of punching trooper, kicking ICE officer be released on bondSplit Happens Ep. 7: Navigating fear and anxiety during divorce with Sasso Guerrero & HenderliteCold snap coming to Northeast Florida, Southeast GeorgiaNews4JAX reporter Ariel Schiller shares new details on 4 arrested JFRD employeesHCA Memorial shows off state-of-the-art emergency room intended to serve Arlington communityHome surveillance camera captures video of suspects, sounds of gunfire in attempted home invasionJEA crews deploy to South Carolina ahead of icy winter stormCheck out the haul that Chief Meteorologist Richard Nunn was able to get after recent cold snap
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Federal judge allows Massachusetts offshore wind project to proceedA federal judge said Tuesday that a nearly completed Massachusetts offshore wind project can continue, as the industry successfully challenges the Trump administration in court. At U.S.
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Judge rules Massachusetts offshore wind project halted by Trump administration can continueJudge Brian Murphy halted the administration’s stop work order for Vineyard Wind.
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Judge rules Massachusetts offshore wind project halted by Trump administration can continueA federal judge said Tuesday that a nearly completed Massachusetts offshore wind project can continue, as the industry successfully challenges the Trump administration in court.
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