A federal court in Maryland has denied a request by US Wind to block a potential review of its approved offshore wind project off the coast of Maryland. In a memorandum opinion dated 15 December 2025, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland ruled that US Wind had not met the legal threshold for a preliminary injunction. The case was brought by a group of local authorities, businesses and community organisations challenging the Department of the Interior’s approval of the project’s Construction and Operations Plan.
US Wind intervened in the case after the Department of the Interior signalled that it was reconsidering offshore wind approvals following a presidential memorandum issued in January 2025. That memorandum directed a review of existing offshore wind leasing and permitting practices and paused new approvals during the review period.
US Wind argued that actions by the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management indicated an intention to revoke its approved plan, creating uncertainty and financial risk. It sought a court order to prevent what it described as an effective withdrawal of approval.
The court rejected this argument, finding that no final agency decision to revoke the approval had been made. Judge Stephanie Gallagher ruled that the government’s actions amounted to an ongoing internal review rather than a completed decision with legal effect. As a result, the court found the claims were not ripe for judicial review and that US Wind had not shown a likelihood of success on the merits.
The court also concluded that the uncertainty faced by US Wind did not amount to legally cognisable harm, noting that the project’s approval remains in force and that any pause in development reflects a business decision rather than a regulatory requirement.
The ruling leaves open the possibility for US Wind to return to court if the government later takes a final decision that directly affects the project.
US Wind, USA, offshorewind, Maryland, BOEM
