Trump administration challenges Revolution Wind approval as New England project nears full operation

Revolution Wind is already sending electricity to New England, and all 65 turbines are installed. Now the Trump administration is challenging the federal approval that allowed the offshore wind farm to be built. Again. Yes, really.

The Interior Department asked a federal court on October 9 to send the project’s construction and operations plan approval back to the agency for reconsideration. The request creates another hurdle for a 704-megawatt (MW) wind farm that’s already survived two Trump administration attempts to stop construction.

But the DOI’s filing hasn’t stopped the turbines or revoked the offshore wind farm’s permit. The DOI’s request has to go to court, and Revolution Wind is expected to reach full commercial operation later this year.

A third attack on an approved project

The latest move comes as part of an ongoing lawsuit filed in 2024 by the anti-wind group Green Oceans, which challenged federal approvals for Revolution Wind and the nearby South Fork Wind project.

Trump’s Interior now wants to reconsider whether Revolution Wind’s approval complied with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act. Its filing argues that the original decision didn’t adequately explain how the project’s impacts fit with protections for other ocean uses, including fishing and recreation, according to CT Mirror.

This is a completely different argument from the national security concerns the administration previously used to try to halt offshore wind construction.

Interior ordered work stopped at Revolution Wind in August 2025, then targeted it again in December alongside four other offshore wind projects. Court injunctions allowed construction to resume.

In a statement reported by CT Mirror, Interior said it was “complying with a briefing schedule, not announcing a policy change.” (Yeah, I don’t know what that word jumble means, either.)

Connecticut fights back

Connecticut officials responded on October 14, warning that reopening approvals undermine the certainty needed to build new electricity supplies.

Governor Ned Lamont (D-CT) said the action completely contradicts the Trump administration’s stated support for permitting reform aimed at speeding up energy projects and lowering costs. He said Connecticut is reviewing its options with Ørsted and the state attorney general’s office.

“This makes zero sense,” Attorney General William Tong said, adding that the state is prepared to return to court to defend the project.

There are electricity bills at stake, too. Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection estimates that, by 2028, Revolution Wind will reduce wholesale electricity market costs for New England ratepayers by about $500 million annually.

The $6.2 billion project began delivering electricity on March 13, 2026. Its developers say it will produce enough electricity for more than 350,000 homes and businesses, with power sold to Connecticut and Rhode Island utilities under fixed-price, 20-year agreements.

For now, the next decision rests with US District Judge Royce Lamberth – the same judge who twice allowed Revolution Wind’s developers to resume work after the administration tried to halt the offshore wind farm’s progress.

Electrek’s take

In September 2025, the first time Reagan-appointed Judge Lamberth cleared the way for Revolution Wind to restart construction, he called the Trump government’s conduct “the height of arbitrary and capricious government conduct.”

In January 2026, Judge Lamberth used the same words again, calling the Interior’s suspension order of Revolution Wind “arbitrary and capricious,” and said it was in violation of federal law. 

This time, that wind farm is already powering the grid, and during an energy crisis brought about by Trump’s actions in the Middle East, no less. Lamberth’s decision will be impactful.

If you’re looking to replace your old HVAC equipment, it’s always a good idea to get quotes from a few installers. To make sure you’re finding a trusted, reliable HVAC installer near you that offers competitive pricing on heat pumps, check out EnergySage. EnergySage is a free service that makes it easy for you to get a heat pump. They have pre-vetted heat pump installers competing for your business, ensuring you get high quality solutions. Plus, it’s free to use!

Your personalized heat pump quotes are easy to compare online and you’ll get access to unbiased Energy Advisors to help you every step of the way. Get started here. – *ad