A coalition of 18 attorneys general has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its directive to halt all federal approvals for wind energy projects.
The lawsuit challenges a Presidential Memorandum issued on 20 January that indefinitely freezes all permitting for onshore and offshore wind energy development pending federal review.
The directive has stopped federal agencies from issuing new permits and approvals, and even halted construction on a fully permitted project in New York, according to the coalition.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, one of the plaintiffs, said the freeze threatens to undermine major state investments in clean energy.
“Massachusetts has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into offshore wind to ensure our residents have access to well-paying green jobs and reliable, affordable energy that helps meet our clean energy and climate goals,” said Campbell.
“The President’s attempts to stop homegrown wind energy development directly contradict his claims that there is a growing need for reliable domestic energy.”
The states argue that the freeze undermines their efforts to diversify energy supplies, cut emissions, and meet clean energy targets.
They also say it jeopardises billions in public and private investments made in wind infrastructure, supply chains and workforce training.
In 2022, Massachusetts passed legislation requiring net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Three offshore wind farms are in development, intended to power 1.4 million homes, with further procurements planned.
State officials warn that delaying offshore wind will increase energy costs by 50% for New England customers in 2050 and threatens more than $330 million already invested in the sector.
The coalition alleges that the administration’s actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and other laws by offering no reasoned justification for reversing federal policy and freezing all approvals.
They also argue the halt breaches statutory procedures and deadlines for federal permitting.
The lawsuit seeks to overturn the Presidential directive and prevent further delays to wind energy development.
Other states joining the case include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.
NYSERDA chief Doreen Harris added: “In an era of energy abundance, we should not dismiss the fact that the national wind energy industry is generating enough power to serve more than 46 million American homes.
“And the offshore wind industry alone is spurring domestic supply chain investments of $40 billion across 40 different states. Federal actions jeopardizing locally-produced energy risk the economic stability of all states, not only those states developing wind energy, as well as the hundreds of thousands of Americans relying on critical supply chain investments to spur business and economic growth and maintain family-supporting jobs.
“I am united with Attorney General James, Governor Hochul and the 17 other states alongside New York for the logical resumption of wind energy projects and to move them forward to secure a reliable and abundant energy supply for future generations.”