New York AG Letitia James Sues Trump Over Wind Project Freeze/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration over its suspension of two major offshore wind projects. The projects, Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind, were halted by the Interior Department citing national security concerns. James argues the freeze threatens jobs, clean energy goals, and violates legal protocols.
Offshore Wind Lawsuit Quick Looks
- New York sues Trump administration over halted wind projects
- Lawsuit filed by Attorney General Letitia James in federal court
- Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind suspended by Interior Department
- Combined, the projects could power over 1 million homes
- Federal government cites radar interference and national security
- James argues the decision was “arbitrary and reckless”
- Both projects had passed years of environmental and safety reviews
- Connecticut, Rhode Island, and project developers also filed lawsuits
- Legal battle follows previous court win against Trump’s wind moratorium
- Suspension puts green jobs, clean energy, and climate goals at risk
New York AG Letitia James Sues Trump Over Wind Project Freeze
Deep Look
New York Attorney General Letitia James has launched a legal challenge against the Trump administration for its abrupt decision to halt two massive offshore wind projects off the coast of Long Island — a move she says endangers the state’s clean energy future, job creation, and climate commitments.
In a lawsuit filed Friday in federal court in Washington, James condemned the U.S. Department of the Interior’s December 22 directive that suspended the Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind projects. These initiatives are projected to power more than one million homes across New York and represent a key pillar of the state’s renewable energy strategy.
“This reckless decision puts workers, families, and our climate goals at risk,” James said in a statement. “New Yorkers deserve clean, reliable energy, good-paying jobs, and a government that follows the law.”
The Interior Department justified the freeze by citing national security concerns, particularly that the operation and installation of large offshore turbines could disrupt military radar systems by creating radar “clutter.” Officials claimed this could obscure legitimate targets and generate false signals.
However, James refuted the administration’s justification, arguing that the projects had already undergone more than a decade of rigorous reviews by federal, state, and local agencies, including evaluations of potential impacts on national security. She urged the court to reverse the order and allow construction to resume immediately.
The projects in question — Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind — are being developed by two major renewable energy companies. Empire Wind, located approximately 14 miles southeast of Long Island, is being built by Norwegian energy company Equinor and is already 60% complete. Sunrise Wind, situated about 30 miles east of Montauk, is being developed by Danish energy firm Orsted and is estimated to be 45% finished.
Both companies have also filed their own lawsuits against the Trump administration, arguing that the stop-work order is unlawful and financially damaging.
The dispute is part of a broader pattern of resistance to renewable energy under Trump’s leadership.
Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has prioritized fossil fuels over clean energy sources, often criticizing wind farms as “ugly,” “inefficient,” and “dangerous to wildlife.” His administration’s freeze affects not only New York’s wind projects but also three additional offshore wind developments along the East Coast.
This isn’t the first legal clash between Letitia James and the Trump administration over green energy. In December, a federal judge in Massachusetts sided with a coalition led by James that challenged Trump’s executive order pausing permits and funding for all wind energy projects. That ruling vacated the January 2025 moratorium — only for the administration to respond days later with the new halt order now under legal scrutiny.
Other states are also taking action. Connecticut and Rhode Island, which have financial and energy interests tied to the same offshore projects, have joined the legal fight, filing lawsuits similar to New York’s. The outcome could determine whether the U.S. offshore wind industry — seen as a vital part of the national shift toward renewables — continues to grow or stalls under political pressure.
The stakes are high. Offshore wind is central to New York’s plan to meet ambitious climate goals, including generating 70% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. The projects promise not only cleaner energy but thousands of union jobs and economic development along the state’s coastlines.
As of now, the Department of the Interior and its Bureau of Ocean Energy Management have declined to comment on the litigation, citing pending legal proceedings. The administration’s stance remains firm: national security takes precedence.
For James and her coalition of state attorneys general, the message is equally clear: science, planning, and the law must not be undermined by political interference. As the legal fight unfolds, the future of America’s offshore wind industry — and New York’s energy strategy — hangs in the balance.
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