7 days ago
Wind opponents sue to stop Empire project
A coalition of fishermen and offshore wind opponents sued the Trump administration Tuesday in an attempt to stop construction of Empire Wind 1.
The lawsuit seeks to reinstate a stop work order issued by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in April and comes just as the 54-turbine project under development south of Long Island prepares to commence foundation installation.
Protect Our Coast New Jersey, Clean Ocean Action, ACK for Whales and a dozen fishing companies claim Burgum failed to adhere to the Administrative Procedure Act when he lifted the stop work order in May. The suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court District for New Jersey, argues federal regulators illegally approved the project's permit and that it will permanently damage fisheries and the marine environment.
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The lawsuit scrambles traditional political alliances around offshore wind. Wind opponents sought to walk a fine line in a press release announcing the suit, praising President Donald Trump's longtime opposition to offshore wind even as they challenged his administration's decision to allow Empire Wind 1 to move forward.
