New York sues Trump administration over pause on two offshore wind projects

"New Yorkers deserve clean, reliable energy, good-paying jobs, and a government that follows the law," James said in a statement. "These projects were carefully reviewed and already under construction when the federal government pulled the plug without explanation. This reckless decision puts workers, families, and our climate goals at risk, and my office is taking action to stop it."

James, an elected Democrat, is one of the Republican president's top political irritants. Equinor and Orsted have faced repeated setbacks to their offshore wind developments under Trump, who has popularly said wind turbines are ugly, costly and inefficient.

Both offshore wind developers have filed their own lawsuits against Interior on behalf of their multibillion-dollar New York projects, Empire Wind and Sunrise Wind. Equinor's Empire Wind has warned in court papers that it faces likely termination if it cannot restart construction by January 16 and has asked a federal judge in Washington for a preliminary injunction. A hearing on that request will take place next week.