Dominion Energy Virginia has sued to block a federal order that paused construction on its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project and four other offshore wind developments, citing unspecified national security concerns. The company says the project — under construction since early 2024 and expected online in early 2026 — would power about 660,000 homes. Dominion estimates the suspension is costing more than $5 million per day in vessel-related expenses. A federal hearing on a temporary restraining order is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday.
Dominion Sues To Block Federal Order Pausing Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project
Wind turbine bases, generators and blades are positioned along with support ships at The Portsmouth Marine terminal at the staging area for Dominion Energy's wind turbine project Monday Dec. 22, 2025, in Portsmouth, Va. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)
NORFOLK, Va. — Dominion Energy Virginia has asked a federal judge to block a Trump administration directive that paused construction on its Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project and four other offshore wind developments nationwide, citing unspecified national security concerns.
What Dominion Says
In a lawsuit filed late Tuesday, Dominion called the administration’s order “arbitrary and capricious” and unconstitutional. The Richmond-based utility says the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project is critical to meet rapidly growing electricity demand driven by dozens of new data centers and other regional needs.
Federal Review Cited
The Interior Department’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) placed a temporary pause on five projects, saying in letters to developers that it needs a 90-day window — with the possibility of extension — “to determine whether the national security threats posed by this project can be adequately mitigated.” The department did not publicly detail the specific security concerns behind the directive.
Projects Affected
Along with Dominion’s Coastal Virginia project, the order affects Vineyard Wind (Massachusetts), Revolution Wind (Rhode Island and Connecticut), and two New York projects, Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind. Governors in the affected states have vowed to challenge the administration’s action, calling it part of a broader effort to slow offshore wind development.
Construction Status And Costs
Dominion says construction on the Coastal Virginia project began in early 2024 and the company had expected to bring the project online in early 2026. When complete, the project is projected to generate enough electricity to power roughly 660,000 homes. Dominion estimates the pause is costing more than $5 million per day in losses tied solely to vessels and continuous construction operations — costs that would ultimately be absorbed by customers or the company.
“This latest agency action is another irrational attack on offshore wind that the agency doubles down on even after similar actions have been found unlawful,” Dominion said in a statement.
BOEM did not immediately respond to requests for comment. U.S. District Judge Jamar Walker scheduled a hearing for 2 p.m. Monday on Dominion’s request for a temporary restraining order.
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