Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse warned he could once again pause permitting talks happening between Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill should the Trump administration fight court decisions in favor of offshore wind projects.
In an interview Thursday, the Rhode Island Democrat said permitting reform progress could be thwarted if the administration were to appeal federal court orders allowing construction of five offshore wind projects. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum has vowed to fight the rulings.
“We are watching those and would view any appeal as inconsistent with further progress on permitting reform,” said Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee.
The deadline to appeal a judge’s order on Revolution Wind, located off the Rhode Island coast, is Friday, according to Whitehouse’s office. A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on its intentions.
