Trump administration asks to reconsider Ocean City offshore wind permit
The Trump administration has asked a federal court to reconsider the construction permit for US Wind’s offshore wind project near Ocean City, citing inadequate review under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and potential impacts on whales, fisheries and ocean views. Ocean City supports the request, while US Wind maintains that its permits were properly issued and should remain valid.
The federal government asked U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher to return US Wind’s offshore wind permit to the Department of the Interior for reconsideration while leaving the permit in place. Justice Department officials cited concerns involving North Atlantic right whales, commercial fisheries, scenic resources and scientific research, arguing that the project’s review did not adequately comply with the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.
The Town of Ocean City, which initially filed the case challenging the permit, welcomed the administration’s position. US Wind opposed the move and said it expects a court to uphold the permits after more than a decade of federal review. Gallagher previously declined US Wind’s request for an injunction blocking possible federal action, ruling that the company would need to wait for a legally consequential Interior Department decision before challenging it.