Seventeen states, led by Democrats, are taking legal action against the Trump administration concerning restrictions on wind energy development on public lands and in waters.
On his first day as president, Trump signed an executive order that prohibited the government from auctioning rights for offshore wind farms and restricted new wind rights on public land.
Following this, federal agencies have made moves to obstruct new wind energy initiatives, including halting the construction of wind farms that had already received approval.
In a lawsuit filed on Monday, the 17 states along with Washington, D.C., are requesting the court to prevent government agencies from enforcing orders that entirely block wind energy projects.
The lawsuit claims that since Trump’s executive order, the administration has “nearly halted all wind energy projects from being permitted and has stopped approval activities.”
The states argue that these actions undermine the nation’s ability to secure diverse, reliable, and affordable energy sources to satisfy the growing demand for electricity.
Trump has consistently promoted fossil fuels while restricting renewable energy, especially wind. On his inaugural day, he declared a national energy emergency aimed at boosting energy production—but notably excluded solar and wind energy.
Additionally, he operates under a policy suggesting that unless windmills are constructed, other options are limited.
By 2023, approximately 10% of national electricity came from wind energy sources, which are seen as environmentally friendly since they do not emit carbon that contributes to global warming.
A representative from the White House did not immediately reply to requests for comment. Similarly, a spokesperson from the Interior Department, which manages energy production on federal lands and waters, declined to discuss the lawsuit.
However, J. Elizabeth Peace, a spokesperson for the department, stated their steadfast commitment to safeguarding and managing the country’s natural and cultural resources, along with their responsibility to oversee public land and water for the benefit of all Americans.
