Judge Allows Massachusetts Offshore Wind Project to Continue

Vineyard Wind project can move forward after federal judge halts Trump administration's order to pause construction

Jan. 27, 2026 at 10:47pm

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A federal judge in Boston has ruled that the nearly completed Vineyard Wind offshore wind project in Massachusetts can continue construction, rejecting the Trump administration's order to pause the project due to national security concerns. The judge cited the potential economic losses from delays and the developers' likelihood of success on their legal claims against the administration's order.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant victory for the offshore wind industry, which has faced opposition and delays from the Trump administration. The Vineyard Wind project is one of several major offshore wind projects on the East Coast that the Trump administration had paused, citing national security risks. The judge's decision allows the project to move forward, helping Massachusetts meet its renewable energy goals and create thousands of jobs.

The details

The Vineyard Wind project is a joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, located 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. It is 95% complete and partially operational, able to produce nearly 600 megawatts of power for the New England electric grid. Before the pause, it was on track to be completed by the end of March, with 62 turbines generating a total of 800 megawatts - enough clean electricity to power about 400,000 homes. The Trump administration had ordered construction to halt, citing national security concerns, but the judge ruled that the government did not show the national security risk was so imminent that construction must stop.

  • The Trump administration ordered construction to halt in late December 2025.
  • The federal judge in Boston issued the ruling allowing the project to continue on January 27, 2026.

The players

Vineyard Wind

A joint venture between Avangrid and Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, developing an offshore wind project 15 miles south of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, Massachusetts.

Judge Brian Murphy

The federal judge in Boston who ruled that the Vineyard Wind project can continue construction, rejecting the Trump administration's order to pause the project.

Trump administration

The former presidential administration that ordered construction on several major East Coast offshore wind projects, including Vineyard Wind, to be halted due to national security concerns.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell

The state attorney general who said the completion of the Vineyard Wind project is essential for Massachusetts to lower energy costs, meet rising demand, advance climate goals, and sustain thousands of jobs.

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What they’re saying

“The completion of this project is essential to ensuring the state can lower costs, meet rising energy demand, advance its climate goals and sustain thousands of good-paying jobs.”

— Andrea Joy Campbell, Massachusetts Attorney General (ksgf.com)

“Wind energy is the scam of the century.”

— Donald Trump (ksgf.com)

What’s next

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will continue consulting with defense officials and the Vineyard Wind project owners to determine if any mitigation measures can address the national security concerns raised by the Trump administration.

The takeaway

This ruling is a significant victory for the offshore wind industry, which has faced significant opposition and delays from the Trump administration. It allows the Vineyard Wind project to move forward, helping Massachusetts meet its renewable energy goals and create thousands of jobs, despite the administration's claims of national security risks.