Interior Department seeks to rescind permit for operating Revolution Wind farm

Key points

• On October 9, the Department of the Interior filed a motion asking a federal court to remand the construction and operations plan approval for the 704-megawatt Revolution Wind project.
• The project, developed by Ørsted, is over 95% complete, with all 65 turbines installed, and began supplying power to the grid in March 2026.
• The administration argues the original approval did not adequately explain how the project fits with other ocean uses, such as fishing and recreation, under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
• This filing is part of a 2024 lawsuit brought by the anti-wind group Green Oceans, which also challenges the nearby South Fork Wind project.
• Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont and Attorney General William Tong condemned the move as contradictory to the administration's stated goals for permitting reform and energy cost reduction.
• The project is expected to reduce wholesale electricity costs for New England ratepayers by approximately $500 million annually by 2028.

Background

The Trump administration has previously attempted to halt Revolution Wind construction in August and December 2025, citing national security concerns regarding military radar. Both attempts were blocked by federal courts, with Judge Royce Lamberth calling the actions 'arbitrary and capricious.' The current dispute occurs amid broader efforts by the administration to withdraw offshore wind leases in exchange for oil and gas development, which has prompted lawsuits from state attorneys general. Congress is currently considering bipartisan legislation to speed up energy permitting, a process the current legal challenges are seen as undermining.

How outlets are covering it

Electrek emphasizes the repetitive nature of the administration's interference, noting that the project is already operational and highlighting the judge's previous criticisms of the government's conduct. The Washington Post frames the issue as a threat to a potential bipartisan permitting reform deal, arguing that the White House is jeopardizing its own economic achievements by targeting an almost completed project. CT Mirror focuses on the regulatory inconsistency, noting that the new legal argument regarding ocean uses differs from previous national security claims, and highlights the industry's call for stable regulatory processes. All sources agree that the project is nearing full commercial operation and that the legal challenge is unlikely to stop current power generation.

Why it matters

The legal challenge to Revolution Wind sets a precedent for the stability of federal energy permits and could impact the broader offshore wind industry. If successful, it could delay the full operation of a major clean energy asset and undermine confidence in the regulatory framework for future projects. The dispute also highlights the tension between the administration's energy policies and its stated goals for permitting reform, potentially affecting electricity costs for New England consumers.

What to watch

The next decision rests with U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, who will rule on the Interior Department's request to remand the approval. Connecticut officials are reviewing their options with Ørsted and the state attorney general's office, with the possibility of returning to court to defend the project. The project is expected to reach full commercial operation later in 2026, regardless of the legal outcome.