Clock Ticking on Specialized Equipment
Beyond daily losses, Ørsted warned the project faced a catastrophic timeline crunch. A specialized ship required to finish the work will be unavailable after December—and not free again until 2028 at the earliest.
“The entire enterprise could collapse,” Lamberth said, stressing the “irreparable harm” if delays continue. He ruled the balance of equities weighed heavily toward Ørsted, citing the potential collapse of the project and its benefits for clean energy jobs and security.
Clash Between Administration and Wind Industry
The stop-work order came after President Donald Trump, once supportive of offshore wind, pivoted sharply against the industry. Since retaking office in January, he issued an executive order halting all new federal reviews and permits for wind farms. The action sparked lawsuits across states banking on renewable projects.
The government argued Ørsted should have exhausted administrative appeals before going to court, but Lamberth rejected the claim, pointing to the Supreme Court’s Darby v. Cisneros precedent that only requires exhaustion when statutes demand it.
