In brief
Eighteen states have filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's freeze on wind power permits, arguing it threatens jobs and the shift towards cleaner energy sources.
Eighteen states are suing the Trump administration over its freeze on permits for wind-energy projects, citing serious threats to one of the fastest-growing sectors of clean energy in the U.S. “This administration is devastating our nation’s valuable sources of affordable energy," stated New York Attorney General Letitia James, highlighting the risk of losing thousands of jobs and investments.The pause, initiated by a Jan. 20 executive order, ordered federal agencies to halt all wind farm permits until further review. The lawsuit contends that this compliance undermines major investments already made, with additional instructions to explore terminating or amending existing wind farm leases.Currently, wind energy accounts for around 10 percent of the U.S. electricity supply, with several new projects underway, particularly in areas like the Great Plains and offshore Atlantic locations. Just last month, a significant wind farm project, Empire Wind, designed to power half a million homes, was halted despite already possessing the necessary permits. The Interior Secretary raised concerns about rushed analyses conducted during the project's approval.
