The US administration has asked a federal court to return the approval for the Maryland Offshore Wind Project to the Department of the Interior for reconsideration. In a filing submitted on 13 October 2026, federal lawyers argued that the project’s approval should be reviewed again under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, while remaining in force during the review.
The filing concerns the construction and operations plan approved in December 2024 by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management for the project developed by US Wind off the coast of Ocean City, Maryland.
The government cited potential impacts on the North Atlantic right whale, scenic and visual resources, commercial fisheries and scientific research as issues requiring further consideration under the legislation.
The filing also addressed claims concerning the National Marine Fisheries Service. The government argued that the agency had adequately assessed potential effects on protected whale species and reasonably concluded that the project was unlikely to jeopardise their continued existence.
The government is seeking a remand without vacatur, which would allow the Department of the Interior to reconsider the approval without cancelling it in the meantime. The request was submitted in ongoing proceedings before the US District Court for the District of Maryland.
The Maryland Offshore Wind Project could comprise up to 114 wind turbines and have a total capacity of 2.2 GW.
