Announcements
- Construction Resumes on Sunrise Wind
A federal judge has granted a preliminary injunction allowing construction of the Sunrise Wind Offshore Wind Project to resume impacted activities while the underlying lawsuit challenging the December 22, 2025 suspension order issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) progresses. Sunrise Wind, a joint venture between Ørsted and Eversource Energy, is a 924-megawatt (MW) offshore wind farm located approximately 30 miles east of Montauk Point, New York. The project was approximately 45% complete at the time of the suspension, with 44 of 84 monopile foundations already installed. The project is designed to provide renewable energy to approximately 600,000 New York homes and will connect to the electric grid at the Holbrook Substation in central Long Island. The preliminary injunction represents the fifth federal court ruling allowing offshore wind projects under construction to resume work following suspension orders issued in December 2025. Sunrise Wind stated it will resume construction work as soon as possible with safety as the top priority. More information can be found here.
- Wind Turbine Installation Begins on Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project
Wind turbine installation on Dominion Energy’s 2.6 gigawatt (GW) Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind-Commercial (CVOW-C) Project has started with the first of the project’s 176 Siemens Gamesa 14 megawatt (MW) wind turbines currently being erected. The work is being carried out by the wind turbine installation vessel (WTIV) Charybdis, the first Jones Act-compliant WTIV, commissioned by Dominion Energy and built at Seatrium’s AmFELS shipyard in Brownsville, Texas. With 176 Siemens Gamesa 14 MW wind turbines and an installed capacity of 2.6 GW, once operational, CVOW-C will become the biggest US offshore wind farm and one of the biggest in the world. More information can be found here.
- Construction to Restart Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project
A federal judge cleared U.S. power company Dominion Energy to resume work on its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project, one of the five offshore wind projects affected by the December 22 stop work order issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM). The decision permits work to restart while Dominion Energy’s lawsuit challenging the federal agency’s suspension continues. CVOW stretches approximately 27 to 44 miles off Virginia Beach, Virginia and is expected to finish construction and start delivering electricity to the grid later this year. More information can be found here.
- Construction to Restart on Empire Wind
A federal judge ruled that construction on the Empire Wind project could resume following the December 22 order issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which paused construction for at least 90 days on five major offshore wind projects (Vineyard Wind 1, Revolution Wind, Sunrise Wind, Empire Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind-commercial). The judge cited that the federal government did not respond to key points in Empire Wind’s court findings, including the contention that the administration violated procedure. Empire Wind, which is being developed by Equinor’s U.S. based subsidiary, is located south of Long Island, New York and is approximately 60% complete. More information can be found here.
- Revolution Wind to Resume Construction
A federal judge ruled that work on the Revolution Wind offshore wind project can resume following the December 22 stop work order issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which paused construction for at least 90 days on five major offshore wind projects (Vineyard Wind 1, Revolution Wind, Sunrise Wind, Empire Wind and Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind-commercial) projects while the federal government reviews national security concerns raised in a classified report the Department of War provided to the agency in November. Revolution Wind, which is being developed by Orsted, has received all of its federal permits and is nearly 90% complete to provide power for Rhode Island and Connecticut. More information can be found here.
- Vineyard Wind 1 Sues to Resume Construction
Vineyard Wind is challenging the December 22 order issued by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), which paused construction for at least 90 days on five major offshore wind projects while the federal government reviews unspecified national security concerns. Vineyard Wind 1, a joint project of Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, is located approximately 15 miles south of Martha’s Vineyard and southwest of Nantucket. The project has been under construction since late 2022 and is approximately 97% complete. Vineyard Wind is first asking for a temporary restraining order, which is a short-term emergency measure that would immediately allow construction to resume while the injunction is considered. More information can be found here.
- Five East Coast Offshore Wind Projects Receive Temporary Suspension Orders
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued 90-day suspension orders for five offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast: Vineyard Wind 1 (Massachusetts), Revolution Wind (Rhode Island/Connecticut), Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Sunrise Wind (New York), and Empire Wind 1 (New York). The suspensions, affecting approximately $28 billion in total investment, were based on cited national security concerns related to radar interference with military systems, as detailed in classified Department of Defense reports. The affected projects were at various stages of completion, with Revolution Wind approximately 87% complete and Empire Wind over 60% complete at the time of the suspension. Developers and state officials from affected states have challenged the suspension orders, with legal proceedings initiated in federal courts. More information can be found here.
- House Passes Permitting Reform Legislation
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act (H.R. 4776) with a 221-196 vote. The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Jared Golden (D-ME), aims to reform the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by establishing streamlined timelines and procedures for federal permitting of energy infrastructure projects, including offshore wind developments. The bill addresses permitting processes but does not include provisions for electric transmission infrastructure expansion. Senate consideration of the legislation was halted in December 2025 following the suspension of multiple offshore wind projects, with Senate Democrats indicating they would require resolution of ongoing administrative actions affecting renewable energy projects before advancing permitting reform. More information can be found here.
- Maryland Issues Offshore Wind Power Procurement Invitation
The Maryland Department of General Services and Office of State Procurement released an Invitation for Bids (IFB) for offshore wind power, seeking developers who can enter into 20-year power purchase agreements to deliver electricity from offshore wind projects. The procurement represents Maryland’s second offshore wind solicitation, following legislative requirements under House Bill 1296 that mandated the state issue an offshore wind procurement by December 31, 2025. The IFB requires bid submissions by January 16, 2026, with a pre-bid conference held on December 17, 2025. The procurement aims to advance Maryland’s goal of procuring 8.5 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2031. Potential respondents include US Wind, Dominion Energy, Equinor, and Ørsted, all of which hold federal leases in waters offshore Maryland. More information can be found here.
- Research on Fishing Industry Engagement Importance Published in ICES Journal
A research paper on the importance of engagement with fisheries, aquaculture, and fishing communities in offshore wind development was published in the ICES Journal of Marine Science. The paper addresses offshore wind energy and the fishing industry in the northeastern United States, emphasizing the critical role of meaningful stakeholder engagement in planning processes. The research highlights best practices for communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution between offshore wind developers and fishing communities, drawing on case studies from the region. The publication emphasizes that successful coexistence between offshore wind and fishing industries requires early, sustained, and meaningful engagement with all affected stakeholders. More information can be found here.
- New Study Published on Offshore Wind Impacts to Shrimp
Researchers from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science published a study in the journal Marine and Coastal Fisheries examining potential impacts of proposed offshore wind development areas in the Gulf of Mexico on the commercial shrimp fishing industry. The study analyzed GPS data from shrimp vessels to understand how shrimpers operate around existing oil and gas infrastructure, providing insights into how the fishing fleet might interact with future offshore wind turbines. Findings indicate that designated wind energy areas in the Gulf largely avoid regions heavily used by the shrimp industry, suggesting minimal overlap between proposed wind development zones and core shrimping grounds. The research provides data-driven evidence to inform marine spatial planning decisions that balance renewable energy development with commercial fishing operations. More information can be found here.
- Leading Light Wind Project Canceled
Invenergy and energyRe announced the cancellation of the 2.4 GW Leading Light Wind project, which had been awarded Offshore Renewable Energy Certificates (ORECs) by the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in January 2024. The developers cited severe economic challenges, regulatory uncertainties, and supply chain difficulties, including the inability to secure a turbine supplier, as reasons for the project cancellation. The project was scheduled to become operational in 2030 and held lease OCS-A 0542 covering 83,976 acres located 35 nautical miles off New Jersey. The cancellation follows broader challenges facing New Jersey’s offshore wind sector, including federal regulatory changes and market uncertainties affecting the industry. More information can be found here.
- Launch of First U.S. Study on Commercial Fishing Within Operational Offshore Wind Farms
A new research initiative has been launched to study commercial fishing operations within operational offshore wind farms in U.S. waters. This marks the first comprehensive U.S. study examining how fishing vessels can safely and effectively operate alongside turbine infrastructure. The research aims to provide empirical data on fishing practices, gear interactions, and operational challenges within wind energy areas, addressing a critical knowledge gap as more offshore wind farms become operational along the Atlantic coast. The study will collect real-world data from commercial fishermen working in and around existing wind farm sites to inform future co-use policies and safety protocols. More information can be found here.
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) for Monitoring Fish at Marine Energy Project Sites
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) published a new factsheet, Environmental DNA (eDNA) for Monitoring Fish at Marine Energy Project Sites. eDNA is the collection of genetic material shed by organisms in their environment, which enables species detection without direct observation or physical capture, and provides a versatile and cost-effective method for identifying target species across different environments and conducting broad biodiversity assessments. This approach is particularly relevant for monitoring some environmental effects of marine energy devices, such as tidal turbines and wave energy converters, which may pose a risk to marine animals and habitats already under stress from global changes and human activities at sea. eDNA is an efficient monitoring method that is complementary to the commonly used approaches (e.g., optical and acoustic imagery, trawl surveys) and offers a timely solution to overcome challenges and provide reliable field data to assess risks, reduce permitting delays, and facilitate the sustainable development of marine energy projects. More information can be found here.
- New Research Study on Multi-Use Opportunities in Offshore Wind Energy Planning
New research examining perceived opportunities and barriers for multi-use in offshore wind energy planning in the Southern New England area has been published in Marine Policy. The study specifically examines the relationship between commercial fishing and offshore wind industries, exploring potential pathways for coexistence and shared ocean space use. Given that conflicts with commercial fishing have dominated discussions about offshore wind development in the Southern New England region, the research provides insights into stakeholder perspectives on multi-use scenarios and identifies key factors that could support or hinder collaborative approaches to ocean space planning. More information can be found here.
- UMass Dartmouth Partners with New Bedford Port Authority to Study Fishing Vessel Behavior in Wind Energy Areas
The UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) is partnering with the New Bedford Port Authority on a new research project titled “Tracking and Modeling the Behavior and Position of Fishing Vessels and Their Towed Gears in Wind Energy Areas.” The project, funded by a $419,462 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, will examine how commercial fishing vessels and gear operate within and around offshore wind energy areas to better understand potential impacts and identify ways to support safe, sustainable coexistence between the fishing and wind industries. Dr. Steve Cadrin, professor of fisheries oceanography at SMAST, emphasized that the goal is to generate objective data by combining the practical knowledge of the fishing industry with scientific modeling expertise, working closely with local fishers to observe and model how commercial vessels operate within wind energy areas in real-world conditions. More information can be found here.
- Call for Abstracts: State of the Science 2026
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Environmental Technical Working Group (E-TWG) is hosting the next State of the Science meeting on Offshore Energy, Wildlife, and Fisheries from June 8-11, 2026 on Long Island, New York. The theme of the 2026 conference is “Building on a Strong Foundation: Deepening Knowledge and Finding Collaborative Solutions.” Proposals for side meetings, symposia, and abstracts for oral and poster presentations are being accepted through December 12, 2025. More information on the conference and abstract submission can be found here.
- Request for Public Comment on the Draft Regional Standards for Offshore Wind Project-Level Monitoring
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) seeks public comment on the Draft Regional Standards for the Offshore Wind Project-Level Monitoring, or monitoring standards. These are the recommended regional monitoring standards for evaluating the effects of fixed-foundation offshore wind development. The monitoring standards focus on the Mid-Atlantic Bight and Southern New England portions of the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf ecosystem. They’re meant to guide the planning and implementation of monitoring programs. Monitoring programs will evaluate the effects of fixed-foundation offshore wind development on the marine ecosystem including protected species, fisheries, hydrodynamics and oceanography, and socio-economic. The deadline to provide feedback is November 3, 2025. More information can be found here.
- Substation Installed at Ørstead’s new US Offshore Wind Farm
The offshore substation (OSS) for the Sunrise Wind Project, a new offshore wind farm Ørsted is building off the coast of New York, has been installed and is now undergoing commissioning work. The OSS was installed by Saipem’s heavy lift installation vessel Saipem 7000 in the first half of September. Sunrise Wind is the first offshore wind project in the US to use a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) system, which is being delivered by Siemens Energy and Aker Solutions under a contract with the developer signed in 2021. More information can be found here.
- Register for the 2026 Northeast Cooperative Research Summit
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s (NEFSC) Cooperative Research Brach is partnering with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Program to host the 2026 Northeast Cooperative Research Summit in Riverhead, New York on February 26, 2026. This one-day event will bring together scientists, fishermen, managers, and fishing community representatives to present on new or recently completed cooperative research projects. The deadline for registration is November 7, 2025. More information can be found here.
- Federal Judge Allows Construction to Resume on Revolution Wind
A federal judge ruled that the Revolution Wind offshore wind project can resume construction. Work on the project had been paused since August 22, 2025 when the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a stop-work order based on national security concerns. Construction on Revolution Wind was approximately 80 percent complete and fully permitted at the time of the stop-work order. More information can be found here.
- New Paper on Cooling Water Use at Offshore Converter Stations
The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA) has published a new technical report which provides an overview of cooling water systems at offshore converter stations, with a particular focus on applications in offshore wind energy development in the New York Bight region. It is designed to serve as an informational resource for stakeholders involved in offshore wind development, including developers, regulators, environmental organizations, and other interested parties who have a baseline understanding of marine infrastructure but may not be familiar with cooling water systems specifically. The paper can be found here.
- Upcoming Workshop for Offshore Research on September 22
The Regional Wildlife Science Collaborative (RWSC) and Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) are hosting a workshop open to anyone interested in learning more about new offshore fisheries and wildlife research projects and data collection in U.S. Atlantic waters funded to begin in late 2025/early 2026. RWSC, ROSA and several other funders have been meeting together to understand the full breadth of newly-funded projects – to date they’ve identified over 60 new projects from about a dozen funders! Registration and more information are available here and researchers wanting to share their work are invited to send their slides to [email protected] by September 18. The meeting will be held virtually via zoom on September 22, 2025 at 1:00PM EST.
- New Free Training Course for Boaters and Whale Safety
A new 30-minute course was created by the Nature Conservancy in New York to help boaters to identify whales, recognize signs that indicate the presence of whales, reduce the risks of vessel strikes and entanglements, follow safe and lawful boating practices in the presence of whales, and how to report sightings, injuries, and entanglements. The course can be found here.
- Trump Administration to Revoke Approval for Maryland Offshore Wind
The Department of the Interior has revoked federal approval for the Maryland Wind (MarWin) offshore wind project, a 300 MW development planned off Maryland’s coast near Ocean City. This marks the first instance of the Trump administration canceling an already-approved offshore wind project. The Interior Secretary cited “inadequate consultation with local communities” and “insufficient consideration of impacts on tourism and fishing industries” as reasons for the decision. The project, being developed by US Wind, had received its Record of Decision in January 2025 and was scheduled to begin construction later this year. US Wind stated it is “evaluating all legal options” and emphasized that the project had undergone extensive environmental review and stakeholder engagement over several years. More information can be found here.
- Northeast Fisheries Science Center Surveys Wind Energy Areas
The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) has launched a comprehensive survey initiative to assess fish populations within and around offshore wind development areas along the Atlantic coast. Despite recent policy changes affecting wind energy development, NOAA Fisheries is proceeding with this scientific work to establish critical baseline data before, during, and after construction activities. The survey employs multiple vessels and methodologies, including the research vessel Henry B. Bigelow for standard trawl surveys and several chartered commercial fishing vessels conducting specialized sampling in areas inaccessible to larger research ships. Dr. Emily Markowitz, lead scientist for the project, emphasized that “regardless of the pace of offshore wind development, we need robust scientific data to understand potential impacts on marine ecosystems and fisheries resources.” The initiative includes expanded sampling stations within lease areas, enhanced monitoring of species migration patterns, and collaborative research with the fishing industry. The survey results will be publicly available through NOAA’s regional data portals and will inform future management decisions regardless of how offshore wind policy evolves. More information can be found here.
- Revolution Wind Receives Offshore Stop Work Order
Ørsted has announced that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has issued a temporary stop work order for offshore construction activities at the Revolution Wind project, a 704 MW offshore wind farm being developed off the coast of Rhode Island. The order, which took effect immediately, cites the need for “additional review of environmental impacts on commercial fishing operations” in the project area. Onshore construction activities are permitted to continue. Ørsted and its partner Eversource expressed disappointment with the decision, noting that the project had already undergone extensive environmental review and stakeholder consultation over a five-year period before receiving its federal approval in January 2025. The companies stated they are working closely with BOEM to address the concerns raised and hope to resume offshore activities “as soon as possible” to minimize impacts to the project schedule. Revolution Wind is slated to provide 400 MW of clean energy to Rhode Island and 304 MW to Connecticut under existing power purchase agreements. This marks the third major U.S. offshore wind project to face regulatory setbacks in recent weeks, following similar orders affecting projects in New York and Maryland. More information can be found here.
- Trump Administration Redacts Entire Empire Wind Study
The Trump administration has released a completely redacted version of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) study that Interior Secretary Doug Burgum cited as justification for halting construction on the Empire Wind I project off New York’s coast earlier this year. The 27-page document, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by POLITICO’s E&E News, contains no visible findings despite being referenced by Burgum when he claimed the Biden administration “rushed approval” of the project based on “flawed science.” Interior cited “deliberative process privilege” to withhold the entire content. The construction stoppage, which lasted about a month before being lifted in May 2025, reportedly cost Equinor tens of millions of dollars and contributed to a $955 million financial hit to the company. The administration’s handling of the report has raised questions about transparency and created additional uncertainty for offshore wind developers and investors. E&E News has appealed the decision to withhold the study’s contents. More information can be found here.
- Martha’s Vineyard’s Benefits Agreement with Vineyard Wind Made Public
After years of confidentiality, the host community agreement between Martha’s Vineyard towns and Vineyard Wind has been made public, revealing significant financial and community benefits for the island. The agreement, which covers the 800 MW Vineyard Wind 1 project, provides approximately $34.4 million in total benefits over the project’s 25-year lifespan, including $16 million for a community fund, $10 million for an offshore wind workforce training center, and $8.4 million in direct payments to the towns of Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, and Edgartown. The agreement also includes provisions for fisheries mitigation, with $19.3 million allocated to compensate commercial fishermen for potential impacts. Additional benefits include preferential hiring for island residents, a $1 million investment in marine studies, and commitments to use the Vineyard Haven port for operations and maintenance activities. The disclosure comes as the project nears completion, with 62 turbines installed and power generation expected to begin by late 2025. More information can be found here.
- Duke Energy Scraps Wind Projects Off North Carolina Coast
Duke Energy has announced the cancellation of its planned offshore wind projects off North Carolina’s coast. The move was primarily driven by financial considerations, as the request for information (RFP) process determined that offshore wind is not cost-competitive at this time. Duke Energy had previously secured lease areas capable of generating up to 1.6 gigawatts of clean energy, enough to power approximately 375,000 homes. The decision follows recent federal actions, including the Department of Interior’s halt on new offshore wind lease sales and increased scrutiny of already-approved projects. Duke Energy stated that while the company remains committed to its clean energy transition, it will now focus on other zero-carbon technologies including solar, battery storage, and small modular nuclear reactors to meet North Carolina’s carbon reduction goals. More information can be found here.
June 24, 2022
On June 24, 2022, BOEM published a Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Ocean Wind 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Ocean Wind, LLC’s Proposed Wind Energy Facility Offshore New Jersey. The NOA initiates a 45-day public comment period that ends August 8th, 2022 at 11:59 pm. For more information regarding the virtual public hearing and the dates it will be held, refer here.
Reducing or Avoiding Impacts of Offshore Wind Energy on Fisheries
June 24, 2022
In July, BOEM will hold four public meetings in consultation with NFMS and affected coastal states to discuss draft guidance for ways to mitigate impacts from offshore wind projects on commercial and recreational fisheries and fishing. Dates and meeting information can be found here.
June 23, 2022
BOEM has standardized its process for identifying alternatives in its draft Environmental Impact Statements (EISs) for all Offshore Wind Construction and Operations Plans (COPs) received from lessees. More information on BOEM’s standardization process for the finalized document can be found here. The finalized document can be found on BOEM’s website here.