On June 13, 2022, the federal district court for the District of Massachusetts granted a motion to sever a solar energy developer’s challenges to the South Fork Wind offshore wind turbine project from the developer’s challenge to the Vineyard Wind Project. The court found that each project involved “a wholly distinct set of federal approvals,” that the claims “hinge on highly fact specific questions as to the adequacy of two separate agency review processes, supported by two distinct administrative records,” and that “the projects themselves were of markedly different size and scope, to be  constructed in different locations, designed to provide electricity to homeowners in different states, and pursued by different companies.” The court also noted that the administrative record supporting the South Fork Wind project was not available when the federal defendants approved the Vineyard Wind Project. The court therefore concluded that the interests of justice and economy supported considering the South Fork Wind claims in a separate action. 

Lawsuit challenging federal review and approvals for the Vineyard Wind offshore wind project.

Allco Renewable Energy Ltd. v. Haaland (Vineyard Wind)

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Massachusetts Federal Court Said Challenges to Vineyard Wind and South Fork Wind Projects Should Proceed in Separate Actions

Filed

United States of America

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts Federal Court Said Challenges to Vineyard Wind and South Fork Wind Projects Should Proceed in Separate Actions

Renewable energy

Economic sector

Finance