Federal courts have demolished former President Trump‘s sweeping attack on wind energy development. His January 2025 memo halting all wind projects has now faced five consecutive courtroom defeats, with judges across the country rejecting what they’ve described as legally indefensible actions.
The latest blow came when U.S. District Judge Patti Saris granted summary judgment against the administration, declaring the entire wind energy moratorium unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act. No surprise there. The government’s entire defense rested on a memo and suspension order – that’s it. No research, no analysis, just a decree.
Government’s wind energy freeze collapses in court—a decree without substance predictably fails legal scrutiny.
States like New York quickly proved they had standing to sue, pointing to massive lost tax revenue and higher energy costs. Industry groups showed clear economic harm from the arbitrary pause. A coalition of 17 state attorneys general and Washington D.C. led by Leticia James from New York successfully challenged the executive order. The courts weren’t buying the administration’s excuses.
Judge Saris didn’t mince words. The actions were “arbitrary, capricious” and violated basic administrative law requirements. You can’t just reverse federal energy policy without explanation. That’s Government 101.
The pattern repeated across federal courts. Judge Lamberth allowed Sunrise Wind to resume construction, powering 600,000 New York homes. Judge Nichols ruled for Empire Wind. Judge Walker permitted Virginia’s offshore project to continue. In each case, the administration’s flimsy national security claims fell flat.
Meanwhile, real damage piled up. Union workers got laid off. Electric bills spiked. Blackout risks increased. Billions in investments hung in limbo.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum’s statements about costs and wildlife impacts didn’t help the government’s case. Turns out these projects had already undergone exhaustive evaluations protecting national interests. Oops.
The lawsuit highlighted that wind power has become the largest renewable energy source in America, now generating more electricity than coal as of 2024. Unlike solar technology which requires silicon cells to convert sunlight, wind energy harnesses natural air movement with zero emissions during operation.
The final judgment on December 19 invalidated the entire moratorium. The administration can appeal, but their track record suggests another losing battle. After five straight defeats, the message from federal courts is crystal clear: This wind energy crackdown blew right past the bounds of law. Game over.
References
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XFGIMUJoQs
- https://www.spencerfane.com/insight/wind-energy-reprieve-president-trumps-executive-memorandum-declared-unlawful-and-vacated-in-its-entirety/
- https://www.gtlaw-environmentalandenergy.com/2025/12/articles/offshore-wind/federal-judge-vacates-trump-administrations-halt-to-wind-energy-permitting/
- https://www.clf.org/newsroom/court-formally-vacates-trump-wind-moratorium/
- https://www.lcv.org/media-center/trump-administration-loses-5-of-5-legal-fights-against-offshore-wind/
- https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/18/trump-offshore-wind-problems-00734850
- https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/federal-court-vacates-wind-energy-authorization-pause/
- https://www.edf.org/media/court-strikes-down-trump-administrations-reckless-wind-energy-permitting-ban
