NEWS / Politic Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump’s Order Barring Wind Energy Projects
A federal judge has struck down a directive issued by Donald Trump that halted the advancement of wind energy projects across the United States, ruling that the policy violated federal administrative law. The order, signed on Jan. 20, 2025, had directed federal agencies to pause approvals for new or renewed permits, leases, rights-of-way, and other authorizations related to both onshore and offshore wind developments while the administration reviewed national wind-energy policy.
The directive, often referred to as the “Wind Memo,” also included the temporary withdrawal of areas on the Outer Continental Shelf from offshore wind leasing. The administration said the pause was necessary to reassess how federal agencies handle leasing and permitting for wind projects.
However, U.S. District Judge Patti Saris of the Massachusetts federal court ruled Monday that federal agencies acted unlawfully in implementing the directive. Saris determined that the suspension of wind-project approvals violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires agencies to provide a reasoned explanation for major regulatory decisions.
The lawsuit challenging the directive was filed by a coalition of 17 states, Washington, D.C., and the clean-energy advocacy organization Alliance for Clean Energy New York. The plaintiffs argued that the administration’s freeze on wind permits disrupted major energy projects and failed to follow required legal procedures.
In her ruling, Saris said the government had not presented adequate justification for halting the permitting process. She concluded that the decision was “arbitrary and capricious,” a legal standard used when agencies fail to properly evaluate relevant factors before making policy changes. According to the judge, the administrative record showed that agencies stopped issuing permits primarily because of the president’s directive rather than any independent analysis.
Saris ultimately vacated the order entirely, effectively ending the nationwide freeze on wind energy approvals.
The White House defended the original policy, saying the review was intended to ensure reliable energy supplies and evaluate the potential effects of wind projects on energy costs, marine ecosystems, fishing industries, and ocean conditions. Officials argued that the administration was attempting to balance energy development with environmental and economic considerations.
Supporters of the lawsuit welcomed the ruling. Letitia James, New York’s attorney general, said the decision allows new wind energy projects to move forward and supports efforts to address climate change. Andrea Joy Campbell, the attorney general of Massachusetts, also praised the outcome, saying it protects clean-energy jobs and supports state climate goals.
It remains unclear whether the administration will appeal the decision, though legal observers say a challenge to the ruling is likely.