Federal โฃJudge Permits Trump Administration Review of Massachusetts Offshore Wind Farm Approval
BOSTON (AP) – A federal judge hasโฃ ruled thatโ the Trump administration can revisit its prior approval ofโข the Vineyard Wind project, a large-scale offshore wind farm planned off the coast of Massachusetts, possibly โคdelaying the project’s development. The decision, handed down Tuesday, allows the Bureau โคof Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to re-examine the environmental review conducted โduring the latter stages of the Trump presidency.
The ruling reverses a September decision that allowed the project, poised to become the โfirst utility-scale offshore wind farm in the Unitedโ states, to move forward after โbeing stalled by โขthe 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 legalโข battles surrounding renewable energy development, notably asโค 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 โthe environmental impact statement (EIS) completed by โBOEM. โขOpponents of the project argued the EIS did not fully consider the cumulative impacts โขof 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 itsโค re-evaluation.the outcome of this reviewโฃ could set a precedentโฃ for future offshore wind projects along the East Coast and โinfluenceโ the pace โof the nation’s transition to clean energy.
AP Writer Michael โCasey contributed to this report.
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