States Sue Trump Administration Over Wind Energy Project Halt

A coalition of attorneys general from at least 17 states and Washington, D.C., has filed a lawsuit challenging President Trump's executive order that halts all federal approvals for wind energy projects, both onshore and offshore. The states argue the order threatens significant investments, jobs, and their ability to meet climate and economic goals, particularly as many rely on wind energy to achieve legally mandated emissions targets. The coalition contends that the directive violates the Administrative Procedure Act by bypassing required procedures and failing to provide sufficient justification for the abrupt policy shift. They also warn that the freeze could raise regional energy costs and undermine efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The Trump administration has defended the pause by citing alleged legal deficiencies in federal leasing and permitting processes, while simultaneously reversing Biden-era policies that promoted offshore wind and favored fossil fuel development. The lawsuit seeks to block the implementation of Trump's order and restore the permitting process for wind energy projects.