The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a motion to vacate its prior approval of US Wind’s Construction and Operations Plan (COP) for an offshore wind project off the coast of Maryland, citing concerns over impacts to maritime operations and fisheries.
The filing, submitted on August 22, challenges the environmental review conducted under the administration of President Joe Biden, arguing that it underestimated potential risks to search and rescue efforts and commercial fishing activities. The proposed project has a potential capacity of up to 2.2 gigawatts (GW).
The move has drawn criticism from state officials and industry stakeholders, who warn it could undermine job creation, private investment, and clean energy goals in the region.
“This action is one of the largest, economically devastating assaults on U.S. workers, businesses, and energy in decades,” said Liz Burdock, CEO of the Oceantic Network, an industry group supporting offshore wind development.
“Revoking a permit on an approved project after years of thorough agency review will raise electricity prices for families, jeopardize private investment, delay economic growth, and weaken our power grid,” she added.
The Maryland offshore wind project had been expected to deliver significant economic benefits, including the creation of skilled jobs and revitalization of regional infrastructure. Burdock said the sector is already generating momentum in the state, noting, “This American energy resource is a generational opportunity that nearly 70% of Marylanders support.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore also criticized the DOJ’s decision, warning it could derail substantial economic gains for the state.
“Canceling a project set to bring in $1 billion in investment, create thousands of good-paying jobs in manufacturing, and generate more Maryland-made electrical supply is utterly shortsighted,” Moore said.
US Wind’s project is one of several major offshore wind initiatives planned along the U.S. East Coast. The move by the DOJ adds new uncertainty for the sector, which has faced a series of legal and regulatory challenges in recent months.
The Department of Justice has not publicly commented beyond the filing, and the matter now proceeds to judicial review.
