Dominion Energy Virginia sued the Trump administration Tuesday over an order halting its offshore wind project. The company called the order "arbitrary and capricious" and unconstitutional. The lawsuit challenges the Interior Department's move to block five wind projects over unspecified national security concerns.
The Interior Department's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued the order Monday. It gave project developers 90 days, potentially longer, to address alleged national security threats. The order impacts Dominion's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, Vineyard Wind in Massachusetts, Revolution Wind in Rhode Island and Connecticut, and Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind in New York.
Dominion Energy argues its project is crucial for meeting growing energy demands, particularly from data centers. Democratic governors of affected states vowed to fight the order. They see it as another attempt by the Trump administration to hinder renewable energy development.
The Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is intended to supply power to Virginia. The Trump administration has consistently supported fossil fuels over renewable energy sources.
The federal judge will now review Dominion's lawsuit. The legal challenge could delay or reverse the administration's order. The outcome will significantly impact the future of offshore wind development in the U.S.
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