Trump administration seeks to reconsider offshore wind farm’s approval

The Trump administration is asking a federal court to reassess a prior approval of a nearly-completed offshore wind farm, an escalation of the administration’s attack on wind energy that’s raising questions about an infrastructure deal with Democrats .

On Friday, the Trump administration asked Judge Roy Lamberth to allow it to reassess whether its past approval of the Revolution Wind Project was warranted.

It cited the project’s “potential moderate to major adverse impacts to other uses” of the area off the nation’s coast.

The move is one of a series of attacks the administration has instituted on renewable power and especially wind energy, a particular subject of President Trump’s scorn.

However, this latest action comes as the administration is working on a deal with Democrats that seeks to expedite the buildout of energy and infrastructure projects across the board.

Last month, Senate Democrats and Republicans said they had reached a deal on legislation that seeks to speed the buildout of various types of energy including renewables and fossil fuels by curtailing environmental laws and other provisions.

As the package was being negotiated, the Trump administration’s treatment of renewables was a key point of contention.

When the deal was announced, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) said that one outstanding issue was “the question of returning to regular order for wind and solar projects in the Trump administration.”

“That is unresolved, but we have had what I would consider to be a very reasonable opening proposal from the Trump administration,” he said at the time.

It’s unclear whether the latest maneuver will impact efforts to get the legislation across the finish line. Lawmakers are expected to take up the bill in the lame duck session later this year.

White House official Jarrod Agen said in a post on the social platform X that the administration still supports the bipartisan deal.

“This is an old lawsuit brought by the local community—who had serious concerns about this project—against the Biden Administration!” wrote Agen, the executive director of the National Energy Dominance Council.

“The White House maintains support for PERMITTING REFORM! We look forward to the Senate voting on this historic legislation,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Interior Department said the filing is not a change in its position.

“The Department of the Interior is complying with a briefing schedule, not announcing a policy change. Our position has remained consistent throughout this administration and this filing should not be misconstrued as a shift in the Department’s approach to offshore wind,” said a spokesperson, who did not provide their name, in an email.

Revolution Wind is located off the coast of Rhode Island and is expected to supply enough power for 350,000 homes in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

The Trump administration’s filing comes in a case after various individuals and organizations challenged the approval of the project in 2024.