Case: Empire Leaseholder LLC v. Burgum

1:26-cv-00004 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Jan. 2, 2026

Case Ongoing

Clearinghouse coding in progress

Case Summary

[This summary is temporary while we research this case] On January 2, 2026, Plaintiffs Empire Leaseholder LLC and Empire Offshore Wind LLC filed suit against the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), the DOI, the Acting Director of the Bureau of Ocean Management (BOM), and the BOM in U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia. In their complaint, Plaintiffs allege that the United States that unlawfully suspended the development of the Empire Wind Project, a f…

[This summary is temporary while we research this case]

On January 2, 2026, Plaintiffs Empire Leaseholder LLC and Empire Offshore Wind LLC filed suit against the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), the DOI, the Acting Director of the Bureau of Ocean Management (BOM), and the BOM in U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia. In their complaint, Plaintiffs allege that the United States that unlawfully suspended the development of the Empire Wind Project, a fully permitted, multi-billion-dollar commercial wind project that would provide 810 megawatts (“MW”) of renewable energy to the State of New York, capable of powering more than 500,000 homes, by 2027. Plaintiffs further allege that the order (“Suspension Order”) offers no plausible justification for such an extraordinary action, was issued with no notice whatsoever to Empire Wind, finds no authority in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, and violates the Due Process clause of the Fifth Amendment.

This case is ongoing.

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72099689/parties/empire-leaseholder-llc-v-burgum/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Johnson, Tyler S. (District of Columbia)

Attorney for Defendant

Adams, John Kenneth (District of Columbia)

Jr, Peter Martin (District of Columbia)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Demree, Jacob James (District of Columbia)

Jr, Thomas William (District of Columbia)

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
3

1:26-cv-00004

Complaint

Empire Leaseholder LLC et al. v. Burgum et al.

Jan. 2, 2026

Jan. 2, 2026

Complaint

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72099689/empire-leaseholder-llc-v-burgum/

Last updated Jan. 26, 2026, 6:28 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC. Case related to Case No. 25-2214. (Navaro, Ann) (Entered: 01/02/2026)

Jan. 2, 2026

Jan. 2, 2026

2

LCvR 26.1 CERTIFICATE OF DISCLOSURE of Corporate Affiliations and Financial Interests by EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC (Navaro, Ann) (Entered: 01/02/2026)

Jan. 2, 2026

Jan. 2, 2026

3

COMPLAINT against BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DOUGLAS J. BURGUM, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Matthew Giacona (Fee Status:Filing Fee Waived) filed by EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Civil Cover Sheet, # 4 Summons Doug Burgum - INTERIOR, # 5 Summons INTERIOR, # 6 Summons Matthew Giacona - BOEM, # 7 Summons BOEM, # 8 Summons USAO-DC, # 9 Summons ENRD-DOJ, # 10 Summons USAG-DOJ-1, # 11 Summons USAG-DOJ-2)(Navaro, Ann) (Entered: 01/02/2026)

1 Exhibit A

View on PACER

2 Exhibit B

View on PACER

3 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

4 Summons Doug Burgum - INTERIOR

View on PACER

5 Summons INTERIOR

View on PACER

6 Summons Matthew Giacona - BOEM

View on PACER

7 Summons BOEM

View on PACER

8 Summons USAO-DC

View on PACER

9 Summons ENRD-DOJ

View on PACER

10 Summons USAG-DOJ-1

View on PACER

11 Summons USAG-DOJ-2

View on PACER

Jan. 2, 2026

Jan. 2, 2026

Clearinghouse
4

SUMMONS (6) Issued Electronically as to All Defendants, U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney General (Attachments: # 1 Notice and Consent)(zhcn) (Entered: 01/02/2026)

Jan. 2, 2026

Jan. 2, 2026

Payment of Fee- Complaint/Petition

Jan. 2, 2026

Jan. 2, 2026

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Jan. 2, 2026

Jan. 2, 2026

Payment for 3 Complaint,,. ($405; Receipt number ADCDC-12163072). (Navaro, Ann)

Jan. 2, 2026

Jan. 2, 2026

Case Assigned to Judge Carl J. Nichols. (zhcn)

Jan. 2, 2026

Jan. 2, 2026

5

NOTICE of Appearance by David A. Super on behalf of EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC (Super, David) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

Jan. 5, 2026

Jan. 5, 2026

6

NOTICE of Appearance by Taylor M. Stuart on behalf of EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC (Stuart, Taylor) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

Jan. 5, 2026

Jan. 5, 2026

7

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Tyler S. Johnson, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12166498. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration of Tyler S. Johnson, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Navaro, Ann) (Entered: 01/05/2026)

Jan. 5, 2026

Jan. 5, 2026

8

MOTION for Preliminary Injunction, MOTION to Stay Pending Review and Statement of Points and Authorities in Support by EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B--Declaration of Theodore Muhlfelder, # 3 Exhibit C--Declaration of Elisabeth Treseder, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Exhibit H, # 9 Exhibit I, # 10 Exhibit J, # 11 Exhibit K, # 12 Exhibit L, # 13 Exhibit M, # 14 Text of Proposed Order)(Navaro, Ann) (Entered: 01/06/2026)

1 Exhibit A

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit B--Declaration of Theodore Muhlfelder

View on RECAP

3 Exhibit C--Declaration of Elisabeth Treseder

View on RECAP

4 Exhibit D

View on RECAP

5 Exhibit E

View on RECAP

6 Exhibit F

View on RECAP

7 Exhibit G

View on RECAP

8 Exhibit H

View on RECAP

9 Exhibit I

View on RECAP

10 Exhibit J

View on RECAP

11 Exhibit K

View on RECAP

12 Exhibit L

View on RECAP

13 Exhibit M

View on RECAP

14 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

Jan. 6, 2026

Jan. 6, 2026

RECAP
9

AMENDED NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC. Case related to Case No. 25-cv-830. (Navaro, Ann) Modified on 1/7/2026 (mg). (Entered: 01/07/2026)

Jan. 7, 2026

Jan. 7, 2026

RECAP
10

NOTICE of Appearance by Kristofor R. Swanson on behalf of BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DOUGLAS J. BURGUM, MATTHEW GIACONA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Swanson, Kristofor) (Entered: 01/07/2026)

Jan. 7, 2026

Jan. 7, 2026

RECAP

Order Setting Hearing on Motion

Jan. 7, 2026

Jan. 7, 2026

MINUTE ORDER. In light of Plaintiffs' 8 Motion for Preliminary Injunction, it is hereby ORDERED that the government shall respond to that Motion on or before January 13, 2026, at 12:00 PM. The Parties are also ORDERED to appear for a hearing on the Motion on January 14, 2026, at 10:00 AM in Courtroom 17. It is further ORDERED that on or before January 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM, the Parties shall file briefs of no longer than five pages on whether this case is properly designated as related to case 25-cv-2214 under Local Civil Rule 40.5. And it is ORDERED that Plaintiffs shall provide a copy of this Minute Order to the government in a timely manner. So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 01/07/2026. (lccjn2)

Jan. 7, 2026

Jan. 7, 2026

11

RESPONSE TO ORDER OF THE COURT re Order Setting Hearing on Motion,,, Set Deadlines,, filed by BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DOUGLAS J. BURGUM, MATTHEW GIACONA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Swanson, Kristofor) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

Jan. 8, 2026

Jan. 8, 2026

RECAP
12

RESPONSE TO ORDER OF THE COURT re Order Setting Hearing on Motion,,, Set Deadlines,, filed by EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC. (Navaro, Ann) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

Jan. 8, 2026

Jan. 8, 2026

RECAP
13

NOTICE OF RELATED CASE by EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC. Case related to Case No. 26-cv-28. (Navaro, Ann) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

Jan. 8, 2026

Jan. 8, 2026

14

NOTICE. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 01/08/2026. (lccjn2) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

Jan. 8, 2026

Jan. 8, 2026

15

STANDING ORDER. Signed by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 01/08/2026. (lccjn2) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

Jan. 8, 2026

Jan. 8, 2026

RECAP
16

NOTICE of Appearance by Tyler S. Johnson on behalf of EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC (Johnson, Tyler) (Entered: 01/08/2026)

Jan. 8, 2026

Jan. 8, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Jan. 8, 2026

Jan. 8, 2026

MINUTE ORDER. The Court having considered the 7 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, and it appearing to the Court that the attorney referenced therein meets the requirements for pro hac vice admission under Local Civil Rule 83.2(c), it is hereby ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that the attorney referenced in the Motion is hereby ADMITTED to practice before the Court pro hac vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 01/08/2026. (lccjn2)

Jan. 8, 2026

Jan. 8, 2026

17

NOTICE of Appearance by Peter Martin Torstensen, Jr on behalf of All Defendants (Torstensen, Peter) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Jan. 9, 2026

Jan. 9, 2026

18

NOTICE of Intent to Provide Classified Information for Ex Parte and In Camera Review by BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DOUGLAS J. BURGUM, MATTHEW GIACONA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR (Swanson, Kristofor) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Jan. 9, 2026

Jan. 9, 2026

RECAP
19

MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNIONS. (Attachments: # 1 Amicus Brief, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Newman, Jonathan) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Jan. 9, 2026

Jan. 9, 2026

20

NOTICE of Appearance by Jonathan David Newman on behalf of NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNIONS (Newman, Jonathan) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Jan. 9, 2026

Jan. 9, 2026

21

NOTICE of Appearance by Jacob James Demree on behalf of NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNIONS (Demree, Jacob) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Jan. 9, 2026

Jan. 9, 2026

22

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice :Attorney Name- Blake Andrew Phillips, Filing fee $ 100, receipt number ADCDC-12178403. Fee Status: Fee Paid. by NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNIONS. (Attachments: # 1 Declaration Declaration for Pro Hac Vice Admission, # 2 Exhibit Certificate of Good Standing, # 3 Exhibit Proposed Order)(Demree, Jacob) (Entered: 01/09/2026)

Jan. 9, 2026

Jan. 9, 2026

23

MOTION for Leave to File Amicus Brief by SAVE LONG BEACH ISLAND, INC., PROTECT OUR COAST - LINY. (Attachments: # 1 Memorandum in Support Brief, # 2 Text of Proposed Order)(Stavola, Thomas) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

24

NOTICE of Appearance by Thomas William Stavola, Jr on behalf of PROTECT OUR COAST - LINY, SAVE LONG BEACH ISLAND, INC. (Stavola, Thomas) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

25

NOTICE of Appearance by Blake Phillips on behalf of NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNIONS (Phillips, Blake) (Main Document 25 replaced on 1/13/2026) (znmw). (Entered: 01/12/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

26

NOTICE of Appearance by John Kenneth Adams on behalf of All Defendants (Adams, John) (Entered: 01/12/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

27

AMICUS BRIEF by NORTH AMERICA'S BUILDING TRADES UNIONS. (znmw) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

28

AMICUS BRIEF by PROTECT OUR COAST - LINY, SAVE LONG BEACH ISLAND, INC.. (znmw) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

MINUTE ORDER. Upon consideration of North America's Building Trades Unions's 19 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief and Save Long Beach Island, Inc.'s 23 Motion for Leave to File Amicus Brief, those Motions are GRANTED. The Clerk is directed to file the proposed briefs. So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 01/12/2026. (lccjn2)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

MINUTE ORDER. The Court having considered the 22 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice, and it appearing to the Court that the attorney referenced therein meets the requirements for pro hac vice admission under Local Civil Rule 83.2(c), it is hereby ORDERED that the Motion is GRANTED. It is further ORDERED that the attorney referenced in the Motion is hereby ADMITTED to practice before the Court pro hac vice. Counsel should register for e-filing via PACER and file a notice of appearance pursuant to LCvR 83.6(a) Click for instructions. So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 01/12/2026. (lccjn2)

Jan. 12, 2026

Jan. 12, 2026

29

Memorandum in opposition to re 8 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction MOTION to Stay Pending Review and Statement of Points and Authorities in Support filed by BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DOUGLAS J. BURGUM, MATTHEW GIACONA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit BOEM ROD, # 2 Declaration J. Tyner Declaration, # 3 Declaration D. Marks Redacted Declaration)(Adams, John) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

1 Exhibit BOEM ROD

View on RECAP

2 Declaration J. Tyner Declaration

View on RECAP

3 Declaration D. Marks Redacted Declaration

View on RECAP

Jan. 13, 2026

Jan. 13, 2026

RECAP
30

NOTICE of Providing Classified Materials for Ex Parte, In Camera Review by BUREAU OF OCEAN ENERGY MANAGEMENT, DOUGLAS J. BURGUM, MATTHEW GIACONA, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR re 29 Memorandum in Opposition, (Swanson, Kristofor) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

Jan. 13, 2026

Jan. 13, 2026

RECAP
31

MOTION for Leave to File a Reply, Hearing Transcript, and Rebuttal Declaration in Support of Plaintiffs Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Stay Pending Review by EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1 - Reply ISO Motion for PI, # 2 Exhibit A to Reply - Hearing Tr, # 3 Exhibit B to Reply--Rebuttal Declaration of Patrick England, # 4 Text of Proposed Order)(Navaro, Ann) (Entered: 01/13/2026)

1 Exhibit 1 - Reply ISO Motion for PI

View on RECAP

2 Exhibit A to Reply - Hearing Tr

View on RECAP

3 Exhibit B to Reply--Rebuttal Declaration of Patrick England

View on RECAP

4 Text of Proposed Order

View on RECAP

Jan. 13, 2026

Jan. 13, 2026

RECAP
32

NOTICE of Appearance by Stanley Edmund Woodward, Jr on behalf of All Defendants (Woodward, Stanley) (Entered: 01/14/2026)

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

RECAP

Order on Motion for Leave to File

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction AND Order on Motion to Stay AND Preliminary Injunction

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

.Order AND ~Util - Set/Reset Hearings

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

MINUTE ORDER. The 31 Motion for Leave to File a Reply is GRANTED. The reply brief shall be deemed filed. So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 01/14/2026. (lccjn2)

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

Minute Order and Entry for Proceedings held before Judge Carl J. Nichols: Preliminary Injunction held on 1/14/2026. 8 Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Stay; Taken under advisement. Further Communication or Order/Opinion to be issued by the Court. Court Reporter: Lorraine Herman. (zcam)

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

Order

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

MINUTE ORDER. The Parties are hereby ORDERED to appear for a telephonic hearing on January 15, 2026, at 11:00 AM, where the Court will issue an oral order regarding the 8 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. Members of the public may listen to the proceedings in Courtroom 17. So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 01/14/2026. (lccjn2)

Jan. 14, 2026

Jan. 14, 2026

Minute Order and Entry for Proceedings held before Judge Carl J. Nichols: Preliminary Injunction resumed on 1/15/2026. 8 Motion for Preliminary Injunction and Stay; GRANTED for reasons stated on the record by the Court. Joint Proposed Expedited Summary Judgment Briefing Schedule due by 1/20/2026 Court Reporter: Lorraine Herman. (zcam)

Jan. 15, 2026

Jan. 15, 2026

Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction

Jan. 15, 2026

Jan. 15, 2026

33

RETURN OF SERVICE/AFFIDAVIT of Summons and Complaint Executed as to the United States Attorney. Date of Service Upon United States Attorney on 1/5/2026. Answer due for ALL FEDERAL DEFENDANTS by 3/6/2026. (Navaro, Ann) (Entered: 01/20/2026)

Jan. 20, 2026

Jan. 20, 2026

RECAP
34

Joint MOTION for Scheduling Order by EMPIRE LEASEHOLDER LLC, EMPIRE OFFSHORE WIND LLC. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Navaro, Ann) (Entered: 01/20/2026)

1 Text of Proposed Order

View on PACER

Jan. 20, 2026

Jan. 20, 2026

Case Details

State / Territory:

District of Columbia

Case Type(s):

Environmental Justice

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Jan. 2, 2026

Case Ongoing: Yes

Case Details

Other Dockets:

District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-00004

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket