"Trump officials have been especially aggressive in targeting offshore wind projects, including ones already approved or even under construction. Driving the news: Judge Patti Saris, of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, ruled Monday that Trump's Jan. 20 order is "arbitrary and capricious" under administrative law. The ruling came in a case brought by New York and other states, and the nonprofit Alliance For Clean Energy New York."
"Yes, but: The effects of the judge's ruling are unclear as federal officials rely on several overlapping orders and agency policies to justify restrictions on renewables. ClearView Energy Partners said in a note last month that if Saris ruled against the administration, it "could reject any pending permits and/or pursue a de facto pause of project reviews and lease sales since the courts cannot 'force' agencies to issue permits.""
"What they're saying: "Striking down this unlawful ban gives relief to the communities and workers who need affordable power, local investment and jobs from wind projects that have been stuck in limbo," Environmental Defense Fund attorney Ted Kelly, whose group participated in the case. The other side: "Under Joe Biden's Green New Scam, offshore wind projects were given unfair, preferential treatment while the rest of the energy industry was hindered by burdensome regulations," White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said in a statement."
Judge Patti Saris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts found that the Jan. 20 executive order targeting offshore wind was arbitrary and capricious under administrative law. The case was brought by New York, other states, and Alliance For Clean Energy New York. Saris found that federal agencies failed to provide a reasoned explanation for actions taken under the order. Projects on federal lands and waters are most directly affected, though onshore projects on private lands also depend on federal approvals. Federal officials continue to rely on overlapping orders and policies, leaving near-term effects uncertain.
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