New York Attorney General Letitia James has initiated two lawsuits against the Trump administration, alleging an “unlawful attempt to halt construction” on Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind, two large-scale offshore wind projects in US federal waters off New York.
The lawsuits, filed in the US District Court for the District of Columbia on January 9, claim the stop-work orders lack a clear explanation for the federal government’s altered stance and a valid justification for the suspension. The New York AG argues these orders are “arbitrary and capricious,” violating the Administrative Procedure Act, and seeks to have them declared unlawful and blocked.
I’m filing two lawsuits against the Trump administration for illegally trying to stop construction on offshore wind projects off Long Island that will power over a million homes.
New Yorkers deserve clean energy, good-paying union jobs, and a government that follows the law.
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) January 9, 2026
The AG highlighted that the wind farms are expected to power over a million New York homes and that delaying them could impact the state’s economy and energy supply. The projects currently employ thousands and have seen investments worth billions.
James underlined that Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind underwent extensive reviews by federal, state, and local authorities, including environmental impact analyses and consultations with federal agencies like the US Department of Defense.
In December 2025, the DOI cited “national security risks” related to large-scale offshore wind projects as the reason for halting construction. The DOI explained that turbine movements and reflective towers create radar interference known as “clutter,” obscuring legitimate targets and generating false ones. The DOI report from December 2025 stated that increasing radar thresholds could mitigate clutter but risk missing actual targets.
“New Yorkers deserve clean, reliable energy, good-paying jobs, and a government that follows the law,” said Attorney General James. “These projects were carefully reviewed and were underway when the federal government intervened without explanation. This decision endangers our workers, families, and climate goals, and we are taking action.”
The halt in construction could delay or derail the projects, endangering contracts, local tax revenues, and workforce programs essential to New York’s clean energy transition.
Developers have sought a preliminary injunction to resume construction. Equinor’s Empire Wind 1 is over 60% complete, while Ørsted’s Sunrise Wind is nearly 45% finished.
The 810 MW Empire Wind 1 will include 54 Vestas 15 MW wind turbines and aims to generate power by late 2026, achieving full commissioning in 2027. This project is situated 15-30 miles southeast of Long Island and will be the first offshore wind farm linked to New York City’s grid.
Sunrise Wind, located about 30 miles east of Montauk, will feature 84 Siemens Gamesa 11 MW wind turbines and is projected to start generating power in October 2026. The 924 MW project will be the first in the US to use a high-voltage direct current system, connecting to the state’s grid at Holbrook substation in Suffolk County.
Ørsted and Skyborn Renewables, partners in the Revolution Wind joint venture, have also requested a preliminary injunction for their 704 MW offshore wind farm, intended to serve Connecticut and Rhode Island. This project was 87% complete when the stop-work order was issued and was expected to start producing power soon.
Original Story at www.offshorewind.biz