AG James Sues Trump Administration Over Halted Offshore Wind Projects

NEW YORK — New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed two federal lawsuits seeking to block the Trump administration’s decision to suspend construction on New York’s Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind offshore wind projects, arguing the stop-work orders are unlawful and threaten the state’s economy, energy reliability, and climate goals.

Late last month, the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) issued abrupt stop-work orders directing both projects to immediately halt construction, citing undisclosed “national security” concerns. The Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind projects are expected to collectively supply electricity to more than one million New York homes, and had already cleared years of federal, state, and local review before construction began.

Attorney General James contends that the federal government’s action is arbitrary and unsupported, particularly given that the projects underwent extensive national security and safety evaluations, including coordination with the Department of Defense. In her lawsuits, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, she is asking the court to declare the stop-work orders unlawful and block their enforcement.

“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 already under construction when the federal government pulled the plug without explanation. This reckless decision puts workers, families, and our climate goals at risk, and my office is taking action to stop it.”

Governor Kathy Hochul also criticized the administration’s decision, warning that halting the projects would undermine job creation and energy independence.

“New York will not back down in our fight for a clean energy future and I commend Attorney General James for taking this action to lift the unlawful stop work orders on New York’s two offshore wind projects under construction,” said Governor Hochul. “The Trump administration's incomprehensible obsession with shutting down these fully permitted projects lacks legal justification, hurts his stated goal of U.S. energy independence, and will cost New York thousands of jobs and needed power to keep the lights on and attract economic development opportunities. These unlawful actions cannot stand.”

State energy officials emphasized the projects’ importance to grid reliability and long-term clean energy planning. New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris noted that the two developments together would generate more than 1,700 megawatts of power, supplying roughly 10 percent of the electricity needs of New York City and Long Island.

“Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind are critical large-scale electricity projects for New York state,” Harris said. “Together, they will generate more than 1,700 megawatts of power—enough to meet roughly 10 percent of the electricity needs of New York City and Long Island. Federal actions are once again putting New York’s energy reliability, affordability, and clean energy progress at risk. These projects are essential to support the reliability of our electrical grid, local jobs and economic development, and delivery of affordable, clean power New Yorkers depend on. I commend Attorney General James and Governor Hochul for standing up for New York as we continue to fight for an affordable, abundant, reliable, and clean energy future for our state.”

The Sunrise Wind project, located about 30 miles east of Montauk, is expected to power approximately 600,000 homes, while Empire Wind, located roughly 14 miles southeast of Long Island, is projected to supply electricity to more than 500,000 homes. Empire Wind would also become the first offshore wind project to deliver power directly to New York City, reinforcing the grid in one of the nation’s most energy-constrained regions.

According to the attorney general’s office, thousands of workers are currently employed—or were recently employed—on the projects, with billions of dollars already invested. Halting construction, James argues, risks jeopardizing union jobs, local tax revenue, workforce training initiatives, and long-term infrastructure improvements tied to New York’s clean energy transition.

The lawsuits further argue that the DOI’s December 22 stop-work orders fail to provide project-specific findings or explain why existing mitigation measures are insufficient. James asserts that the action violates the Administrative Procedure Act by failing to justify the sudden reversal of prior federal approvals, especially after a recent court ruling invalidated a broader federal freeze on wind energy development.

Attorney General James warns that delaying or derailing the projects would prolong reliance on aging fossil-fuel power plants, increasing pollution and energy costs while threatening the state’s legally mandated clean energy targets, including 70 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and a zero-emissions grid by 2040.

Originally reported by New York State Attorney General.