Construction of a wind farm off the coast of Rhode Island can continue after a federal judge rejected what the Justice Department called a “needlessly rushed” request to block the project.
The Green Oceans community group and other challengers had called for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to intervene and prevent the developer of Revolution Wind from starting pile driving foundations for the turbines on the ocean floor, citing concerns about the project’s effects on endangered whales and other marine life.
But Senior Judge Royce Lamberth said the claim failed due to a procedural error — the groups did not meet with their opponents before filing the motion with the court.
“The Court will therefore DENY plaintiffs’ motion to stay,” said Lamberth, a Reagan pick.
