Justice Department Seeks to Revoke New England Wind Permit

The United States Department of Justice asked a federal court on Tuesday to remand the Interior Department's approval of the New England Wind Project. The $14.6 billion offshore wind farm, developed by Avangrid, is designed to provide electricity for more than 900,000 homes in Massachusetts. The Justice Department argued that the permit, granted in 2024 during the Biden administration, was approved despite major adverse impacts.

This action is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to target offshore wind energy, which President Donald Trump has described as "ugly" and unreliable compared to fossil fuels. The New England Wind project is the fourth such project targeted in recent months, following similar efforts regarding the Atlantic Shores, SouthCoast Wind, Revolution Wind, and Maryland Offshore Wind projects.

While the Interior Department claims the filing does not represent a policy change, the move has drawn criticism. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse warned that these actions could derail a bipartisan Senate deal intended to accelerate energy permitting reviews. Additionally, the National Ocean Industries Association expressed concern that reopening federal approvals creates significant uncertainty for energy projects.