Federal Judge Permits Trump Administration Review of Massachusetts Offshore Wind Farm Approval
BOSTON (AP) – A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration can revisit its prior approval of the Vineyard Wind project, a large-scale offshore wind farm planned off the coast of Massachusetts, possibly delaying the project’s development. The decision, handed down Tuesday, allows the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to re-examine the environmental review conducted during the latter stages of the Trump presidency.
The ruling reverses a September decision that allowed the project, poised to become the first utility-scale offshore wind farm in the United states, to move forward after being stalled by the previous administration. Vineyard Wind is intended to power roughly 350,000 homes in Massachusetts and Connecticut, representing approximately 2.5% of the region’s electricity needs. The case highlights the ongoing political and legal battles surrounding renewable energy development, notably as the Biden administration seeks to rapidly expand offshore wind capacity.
During his presidency, Donald Trump actively sought to impede offshore wind development, pausing permitting processes, halting plans for federal waters, and rescinding $679 million in federal funding allocated to a dozen projects. These actions marked a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s commitment to bolstering renewable energy sources.
The judge’s decision stems from concerns raised about the adequacy of the environmental impact statement (EIS) completed by BOEM. Opponents of the project argued the EIS did not fully consider the cumulative impacts of the wind farm on marine ecosystems and fisheries.
Vineyard wind developers expressed disappointment with the ruling but remain committed to the project. BOEM has not yet indicated a timeline for its re-evaluation.the outcome of this review could set a precedent for future offshore wind projects along the East Coast and influence the pace of the nation’s transition to clean energy.
AP Writer Michael Casey contributed to this report.
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