Attorneys general from 18 states, including New York, initiated a lawsuit on Monday aimed at reversing the Trump administration’s suspension of wind energy projects nationwide, notably including the Empire Wind project off Long Island.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is leading the coalition, criticized the executive order enacted by President Trump that halted these projects as “arbitrary and unnecessary.” The directive not only affects new permits for offshore and land-based wind projects but also calls for a review of the existing permitting and leasing processes.
In the weeks following his inauguration, Trump imposed a freeze on the issuance of new wind energy permits, with the Department of the Interior recently requesting a halt to the Empire Wind project unexpectedly. The federal agency announced it would re-evaluate environmental approvals for the project, which had already received necessary permits and was poised to begin construction. Equinor, the company behind the project, estimated this disruption could cost them billions.
Adding fuel to the fire, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum recently threatened the cessation of federal subsidies for offshore wind projects, stating that taxpayer dollars would no longer support what he labeled as costly and intermittent wind projects. Given these developments, Equinor is reportedly exploring “legal remedies” to advance the Empire Wind project.
The lawsuit claims Trump’s actions overstepped his legal authority and undermined economic development and job creation linked to clean energy initiatives. The attorneys general from several states argued that the redirection of wind energy projects poses a risk not only to job opportunities but also to state climate goals, particularly New York’s ambition to achieve a 100% emission-free energy grid by 2040, as mandated by its 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
James emphasized the detrimental effects of the blockade in a statement prior to the lawsuit’s submission. She noted that the administration’s directive jeopardizes a crucial source of clean energy, threatening thousands of jobs and substantial investments, while hindering the necessary transition away from fossil fuels that endanger public health and the environment.
Filed in federal court in Massachusetts, the lawsuit seeks court intervention to restore the wind energy permitting process, both temporarily during litigation and permanently to safeguard the future of the wind energy sector. The filing underscores the states’ responsibility to meet the growing demand for electricity while addressing climate challenges associated with fossil fuel use.
In addition to New York, the coalition includes attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and the District of Columbia. The attorney general of Massachusetts is co-leading the legal effort.
Historically, Trump has been a vocal critic of wind energy, attributing various problems to it, from adverse impacts on wildlife to health issues. His opposition notably included attempts to block a wind farm near one of his golf courses in Scotland. The lawyers in this case contend that the present administration’s stance is counterproductive to clean energy goals and economic stability.
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