Renewables
US administration seeks reevaluation of Revolution Wind permit
The United States Interior Department has asked a federal court to remand its approval for the operational Revolution Wind project.
Key points
- The Interior Department asked a federal court to remand the 2023 construction and operations plan approval for Revolution Wind.
- The 704-megawatt project is already operational, having completed turbine installation in September.
- The filing stems from a lawsuit brought by the anti-wind organization Green Oceans.
What happened
The United States Interior Department has asked a federal court for permission to reevaluate a key regulatory approval for the Revolution Wind project, according to reporting by Canary Media. The 704-megawatt offshore wind farm, situated off the coasts of Connecticut and Rhode Island, is already producing electricity after developer Ørsted installed its final turbine in September.
Why it matters
The legal move follows a lawsuit filed in January 2024 by Green Oceans, a Rhode Island-based group that argued federal authorities bypassed proper environmental protection procedures when clearing the project. While legal experts note the request does not immediately halt operations, advocacy groups warn the action introduces regulatory uncertainty for infrastructure that regional electricity planners rely upon.
What comes next
The remand request is currently before Judge Royce Lamberth at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The proceedings are expected to continue into early next year as the court considers the agency's request to close the underlying lawsuit.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
27.8% of electricity in the world was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
