Trump Administration Drops Appeal, Ending Wind Project Pause After 17 States Sued
Updated
Updated · Gizmodo · Jun 16
Trump Administration Drops Appeal, Ending Wind Project Pause After 17 States Sued
3 articles · Updated · Gizmodo · Jun 16
Summary
A June 10 Justice Department filing voluntarily dismissed the administration’s appeal, making unenforceable the nationwide halt on federal wind permitting and leasing imposed in January 2025.
A district court had already struck down Trump’s wind order in December 2025, calling it “arbitrary and capricious and contrary to law” in a case brought by 17 states and Washington, D.C.
The retreat marks another legal setback for Trump’s anti-renewable push, coming days after a judge also voided IRS guidance that had made wind and solar projects harder to qualify for tax subsidies.
Wind developers still face other federal obstacles: more than 10 planned projects across 21 states have been paused since April, putting an estimated $47 billion of investment at risk.
The broader clean-energy pipeline remains large despite the policy fight, with 79.7 gigawatts expected online in 2026 and 30 GW of wind capacity planned or under construction.
States won their legal battle for wind power. So why are some now embracing natural gas to address rising energy costs?
New rules target foreign parts in green projects. Will this build a secure US supply chain or just halt the renewable energy boom?
The White House lost its wind freeze appeal. Can developers overcome the Pentagon’s separate blockade before tax credits expire next month?
Court Strikes Down Trump’s Wind Energy Moratorium, Paving Way for 2.5 Million Homes’ Clean Power
Overview
In June 2026, the Trump administration withdrew its appeal, immediately ending the nationwide halt on federal leasing and permitting for wind projects. This action left a federal court ruling—declaring the initial pause on wind energy activities unlawful—unchallenged. As a result, the federal government can no longer block new or ongoing wind energy developments through executive order. Restrictions were lifted, allowing wind projects to resume or start operations on federal lands and waters. This marks the end of a period of legal uncertainty for the wind energy sector and opens the door for renewed growth and investment.