The developers behind a Virginia offshore wind initiative are seeking a federal court order to stop the suspension of their project, which was halted along with four others due to national security issues.
Dominion Energy Virginia stated in a lawsuit filed late Tuesday that the federal order is both “arbitrary and capricious” and a violation of the constitution. The Richmond-based utility is building the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, which it describes as critical for addressing a major surge in energy demand fueled by numerous new data centers.
When it blocked the five projects on Monday, the Interior Department did not specify the nature of the security risks. In a communication to the developers, the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management established a 90-day pause—which could be extended—to “determine whether the national security threats posed by this project can be adequately mitigated.”
The affected projects include the Vineyard Wind development in Massachusetts, Revolution Wind in Rhode Island and Connecticut, and two New York projects: Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind. Democratic governors from those states have pledged to challenge the order, characterizing it as the Trump administration’s most recent effort to impede offshore wind power as part of a broader push for other energy sources.
Construction on Dominion’s project began in early 2024, with an operational date set for early next year to generate sufficient electricity for approximately 660,000 homes. The company reported that the delay is resulting in losses exceeding $5 million per day just for the vessels engaged in continuous construction, adding that the financial burden will ultimately fall on either its customers or the company itself.
Dominion labeled the recent order “the latest in a series of irrational agency actions attacking offshore wind and then doubling down when those actions are challenged.”
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management did not provide an immediate response to an email requesting comment.
A hearing on Dominion’s motion for a temporary restraining order has been scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m. by U.S. District Judge Jamar Walker.