STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a pair of lawsuits against the Trump administration Friday for pausing the construction of two offshore wind projects meant to power over a million homes.
The Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind projects had their construction off of Long Island halted “due to undisclosed ‘national security’ concerns,” according to a statement released by James.
“New Yorkers deserve clean, reliable energy, good-paying jobs, and a government that follows the law,” James said. “These projects were carefully reviewed and already under construction when the federal government pulled the plug without explanation. This reckless decision puts workers, families, and our climate goals at risk, and my office is taking action to stop it.”
Combined, the projects produce over 1,700 megawatts of energy which can power about 10% of New York City and Long Island’s electrical requirements, according to New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris.
Empire Wind, specifically, will be the foremost offshore wind project to provide electricity to New York City.
Despite jumping through over a decade’s worth of hurdles to meet the strict standards required by local, state, and federal governments, the Department of the Interior “immediately suspended all construction activity for at least 90 days” on Dec. 22.
The goal of the lawsuits is to decree the “the stop-work orders unlawful and block their enforcement,” according to the statement.
No suit for local delays
Pictured is a 2019 rendering of the Arthur Kill Terminal site. (Courtesy of Arthur Kill Terminal/Atlantic Offshore Terminals)Courtesy of Arthur Kill Terminal/Atlantic Offshore Terminals
Staten Island’s own offshore wind port meant to be the assembly and staging ground of offshore wind turbines and towers stalled due to President Donald Trump’s executive memorandum that indefinitely halted new offshore and onshore wind leasing and permitting.
However, in December, Judge Patti B. Saris ruled the Jan. 20, 2025, directive “arbitrary and capricious” and “contrary to law” under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), determining it was a final agency action subject to judicial review. The decision vacates the memorandum in full, clearing the way for agencies to resume processing wind energy projects.
“We were very encouraged to see the decision from the federal court last week invalidating President Trump’s executive memorandum with regard to offshore wind energy and are hoping that the federal agencies that are involved in the project will respond accordingly, and that [we] will be able to move forward then,” said Atlantic Offshore Terminal CEO and President Boone Davis and CCO Charles Dougherty.
Atlantic Offshore Terminals is the parent company behind Arthur Kill Terminal, which has been in the planning stages for over five years.
The terminal was initially supposed to undergo its 20- to 23-month construction this year, with an activation anticipated for 2026.
Even with the court’s decision to axe Trump’s executive order, a 2026 groundbreaking at the terminal site along Arthur Kill Road remains unclear, Dougherty and Davis said.
The construction aimed to create 750 union jobs after the terminal signed a memorandum of understanding with the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York in March of 2024.
In terms of permitting, the city permits are complete and the state permits are nearly completed.