Overview

• A coalition of 18 state attorneys general, led by New York, filed a federal lawsuit in Massachusetts seeking to overturn President Trump's executive order pausing wind energy project permits and approvals.
• The executive order, signed in January 2025, halted all onshore and offshore wind project approvals and directed a review of federal leasing and permitting practices, citing alleged legal deficiencies.
• The lawsuit argues the order jeopardizes thousands of clean energy jobs, billions in investments, and state and national climate goals by delaying the transition from fossil fuels.
• The Trump administration recently escalated its actions by halting construction of the Empire Wind project off Long Island, which was 30% complete and fully permitted.
• Wind energy, the largest source of U.S. renewable energy, accounts for 10% of electricity generation, with states heavily invested in its expansion through projects and grid upgrades.