Vineyard Wind Sues Federal Government Over Project Suspension Order
TL/DR –
Vineyard Wind has sued the federal government for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against a suspension order that has halted construction of its offshore wind project. The project is 95% complete, and according to the company, the suspension is costing them $2 million a day. Vineyard Wind argues that if the suspension continues, they risk losing a specialized installation vessel, defaulting on a $2 billion loan, and violating power purchase agreements, which could cause the project and the company to fail.
Vineyard Wind Takes Legal Action Against Federal Government Over Project Suspension
Vineyard Wind, the final offshore wind project out of five, filed a lawsuit against the federal government last Thursday. They are seeking a preliminary injunction and temporary restraining order against the suspension order which has halted construction since late last month. Of the five projects, two have been granted preliminary injunctions by federal judges and allowed to resume construction.
The company claims the Order violates the law and will cause significant harm to the project and communities that need this crucial new power source for the New England region.
The 52-page complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts states the pause is costing Vineyard Wind $2 million per day.
The project is 95% complete, with 61 of its 62 turbines already towering above the Atlantic Ocean. Several of these turbines are already generating and supplying power to the Massachusetts grid.
According to the filing, the project needs to finish turbine and blade installation by March 31, at which point its contract with the specialized installation vessel, the Sea Installer, ends. If installation does not resume by January 30, there could be delays of a year or more, threatening the viability of the project and Vineyard Wind’s survival.
This situation could lead lenders to foreclose on the project, which includes a $2 billion loan from 27 banks. Full operation of the project is necessary for Vineyard Wind to generate revenue to repay the loan and its interest.
Inability to complete the project soon could also lead to violation of power purchase agreements with Massachusetts and utility companies. This could allow utilities to terminate the agreements, threatening the project’s revenue source.
The Interior Department and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management have cited national security risks as reasons for project suspensions. However, Vineyard Wind argues that this is a pretext to halt offshore wind development.
Despite the 90-day suspension order issued on December 22, 2025, the project was projected to be completed by March. If the stoppage continues, it will result in layoffs of about 750 workers and 32 U.S.-flagged vessels.
The project has 44 operational turbines out of 62 and has been permitted to continue sending power under the suspension order at a maximum capacity of 572 of the 800-megawatt capacity.
Vineyard Wind continues to work with the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, and other relevant stakeholders and authorities to understand the matters raised in the Order.
Thursday’s lawsuit came the same day a federal judge in the District of Columbia granted Empire Wind’s request for a preliminary injunction. This also comes three days after another federal judge granted Revolution Wind’s request for a preliminary injunction.
Other projects suing the federal government are Sunrise Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind. Massachusetts Attorney General, Andrea Campbell, stated her office fully supports these projects in defending against the Trump Administration’s baseless attempt to halt construction.
Contact Anastasia E. Lennon at alennon@newbedfordlight.org
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