Federal Court Rulings Revive U.S. Offshore Wind Projects, Says NABTU

Federal Court Rulings Propel U.S. Offshore Wind Projects Forward

Washington, D.C. – January 16, 2026 – Recent federal court rulings have revitalized U.S. offshore wind initiatives, allowing North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) members to return to pivotal energy infrastructure projects. These judicial decisions have greenlit the continuation of essential power generation efforts along the East Coast, previously halted by governmental regulatory action.

This legal triumph follows the federal court in the Eastern District of Virginia's decision regarding Dominion's Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project, alongside outcomes from the District of Columbia concerning Ørsted’s Revolution Wind and Equinor’s Empire Wind ventures. Each ruling has successfully overturned the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) order from December 22, 2025, which had suspended all East Coast offshore wind activities, impeding significant project developments and affecting local economies.

NABTU President Sean McGarvey expressed approval of these rulings, highlighting their importance in resuming the construction of critical energy infrastructure. He stated, “We applaud this week’s federal court rulings restarting U.S. offshore wind projects. These decisions mean many NABTU members can finally return to job sites and continue building critical domestic energy infrastructure.”

With the energy demand on the rise and prices escalating, NABTU underscores the importance of maintaining all forms of power generation, particularly those that are environmentally friendly and cost-effective. The organization's members, who are key contributors to these offshore wind projects under solid labor agreements, can now proceed with their work, ensuring that clean and reliable energy reaches American communities.

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