Empire Offshore Wind LLC (Empire) has filed a civil suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging an order by the U.S. Department of the Interior requiring the suspension of the Empire Wind project. As part of the lawsuit, Empire will seek a preliminary injunction to allow construction to proceed while litigation is ongoing.
Empire seeks to continue operations despite suspension
According to Empire, the federal decision threatens the progress of a project already significantly underway, with major financial and operational implications. The company, majority-owned by Equinor, considers the order unlawful. It states that obtaining an injunction is critical to avoiding further delays that could result in substantial commercial and financial losses.
Empire has been working with federal security authorities since its lease was issued in 2017, including the Department of War, as part of the regulatory process. Weekly meetings are held with the U.S. Coast Guard and other marine emergency services, in line with national security requirements.
A strategic project for New York State
Empire Wind is being developed under contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to meet the state’s growing electricity demand. Once operational, the facility is expected to power around 500,000 homes in New York, supporting regional grid stability.
Construction is more than 60% complete, with Equinor reporting an investment exceeding $4 bn, of which $2.7 bn has been drawn under the project financing. As of 30 September 2025, the gross book value of the project, including the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, stands at approximately $3.1 bn.
Measurable economic impact
The construction phase has already created nearly 4,000 jobs both onsite and through infrastructure development. The South Brooklyn Marine Terminal has seen a revival directly linked to the project. Despite the suspension order, Empire confirms it is continuing necessary work to protect health, safety, and the environment.
Empire continues to engage with federal authorities, including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), to reach a prompt resolution to the dispute.
