Federal judge strikes down Trump's order blocking development of wind energy

"The president said such leases "may lead to grave harm" including negative effects on national security, transportation and commercial interests, among other justifications. U.S. District Judge Patti B. Saris, for the District of Massachusetts, ruled that the ban is "arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law," and said the concern about "grave harm" was insufficient to justify the immense scope of a moratorium on all wind energy."

"The challenge was brought by attorneys general in 17 states, including California, and Washington. In it, they argued that halting federal wind permits created an "existential threat" to the wind industry that could erase billions of dollars in investments and tens of thousands of jobs. At least seven major offshore wind projects were paused as a result of the federal permitting ban, according to the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council, plus several more that were in early phases of development."

A federal judge struck down the Trump administration’s nationwide ban on federal wind-energy permits, ruling the moratorium arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law. The executive order temporarily withdrew nearly all federal land and waters from new or renewed wind-energy leasing, citing potential "grave harm" to national security, transportation and commercial interests. Attorneys general from 17 states challenged the ban, arguing that halting permits threatened billions in investments and tens of thousands of jobs. At least seven major offshore wind projects paused, with other projects delayed. California continues pursuing 25 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2045 after federal renewable energy funding was cut.

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