Climate Jobs NY and Labor Groups Applaud Court Decision Allowing Continued Construction on Empire Wind, Preserving Thousands of Good Union Jobs
January 16, 2026 — Today, Climate Jobs NY, the New York State Building and Construction Trades, and the NYC Central Labor Council applauded a federal judge’s decision granting Equinor a preliminary injunction allowing construction of the Empire Wind project to continue. The ruling blocks the Trump Administration’s latest attempt to cancel the offshore wind project and disrupt New York’s growing clean energy industry.
“This ruling sends a clear message: attempts to halt Empire Wind put real workers, real communities, and New York’s energy future at risk. Empire Wind is exactly the kind of project New York should be fighting for, providing thousands of good, union jobs while building cleaner, more affordable energy in our state,” said Esther Rosario, Executive Director, Climate Jobs NY.
“Today’s decision is a decisive win for working New Yorkers. Empire Wind means family-sustaining careers for union tradespeople across our state. Stopping this project would have caused serious harm to workers and their families, and we’re happy that the court recognized what’s at stake,” said Gary LaBarbera, President, NYS Building and Construction Trades Council.
“Empire Wind is about building opportunity for New Yorkers through good, union careers, and a stronger local economy. Projects like this allow working families to stay here, build a future, and support New York’s clean energy transition. Today’s ruling protects those jobs and that future,” said Brendan Griffith, President of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO.
The court’s decision allows work on Empire Wind to continue while the legal case proceeds, protecting thousands of good union jobs and preserving New York’s progress toward clean, affordable energy.
Climate Jobs NY, Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York, and the New York City Central Labor Council will continue to defend Empire Wind and other offshore wind projects against efforts that threaten workers and New York's clean energy goals.
###