Dominion Energy has launched a lawsuit against the administration of US President Donald Trump following the president’s order to stop work on all five US wind farms currently under construction.
Dominion’s 2.6GW Costal Virginia Offshore Wind had just begun turbine installation when the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued its stop-work order, citing fresh national security concerns.
In a complaint filed last week Dominion wrote: “BOEM’s order sets forth no rational basis, cannot be reconciled with BOEM’s own regulations and prior issued lease terms and approvals, is arbitrary and capricious, is procedurally deficient, violates the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and infringes upon constitutional principles that limit actions by the Executive Branch”.
Dominion said it has already spent roughly $8.9b for the $11.2b project, and the costs are already being paid by Dominion’s energy customers.
“There is a strict timeline for remaining CVOW construction activities, and any delay will affect the availability of specialized vessels, equipment, and labour,” Dominion wrote.
Dominion is asking the court to vacate the administration’s order.