Court Strikes Down Trump Administration’s Reckless Wind Energy Permitting Ban

(WASHINGTON – Dec. 8, 2025) Today, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts struck down the Trump administration’s federal permitting ban on wind energy projects, a Day One Executive Order halting a vital source of clean affordable energy benefitting millions of people. The challenge was brought by Attorneys General from 17 states and Washington, D.C., and supported by industry and public interest groups, including Environmental Defense Fund.

In their challenge, the Attorneys General claimed that the halt on federal permitting approvals “[creates] an existential threat to the wind industry,” and could erase nearly $100 billion in investments and cost 40,000 jobs if left in place throughout the President’s term.

“For nearly a year, the Trump administration has recklessly obstructed the build-out of clean, affordable power for millions of Americans, just as the country’s need for electricity is surging,” said Ted Kelly, Director and Lead Counsel, U.S. Clean Energy at Environmental Defense Fund.

“Electricity prices are climbing, and our grid is facing rising demand from data centers, industry and homes. Wind, solar and battery storage – when allowed to move forward – offer the most affordable ways to get more reliable power onto the grid. 

“We should not be kneecapping America’s largest source of renewable power, especially when we need more cheap, homegrown electricity. Instead, this administration has baselessly attacked wind energy with delays, freezes and cancellations, while propping up aging, expensive coal plants that barely work and pollute our air. 

“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.”

Background:

• Wind energy provides more than 10% of U.S. power and employs more than 130,000 in all 50 states.
• The top four wind-producing states are Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Kansas, which all have electricity prices below the national average.
• As a result of the federal permitting ban, at least seven offshore wind projects in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic have been paused, as well as several others in earlier development.
• Offshore wind is particularly important for the Northeast’s energy supply because the region gets most of its electricity from natural gas, which is subject to major price fluctuations. A recent study found that offshore wind turbines can boost the reliability of power grids during peak demand in the winter because ocean winds in the Northeast are at their strongest and steadiest in winter months.
• Earlier this year, BloombergNEF slashed its forecast of new offshore wind power to come online by 2035 by 56%, as a result of the Trump administration's policies.