Equinor plans legal action over halted New York offshore wind project

Equinor, the Norwegian energy company, has criticized the US government's decision to issue a halt work order on its Empire Wind offshore wind project off Long Island, calling the move 'unlawful' and 'unprecedented.' The project, which is approximately 30% complete and fully permitted, was expected to provide power to half a million New York homes. Equinor stated it invested in Empire Wind after receiving all necessary approvals, and now seeks direct engagement with the US administration while considering legal action to challenge the order. The company is currently complying with the halt order but continues to assess its legal options. The decision to halt the project has drawn attention to the security of investments and the reliability of legally issued permits in the US offshore wind sector.