Trump ban on wind power projects overturned by federal judge
Power-producing wind turbines tower over the rural landscape near Pomeroy, Iowa, on July 5, 2025.
Scott Olson | Getty Images
A federal judge on Monday overturned President Donald Trump’s sweeping ban on new wind energy projects in the United States; This is a major victory for an industry that has been singled out by the White House since the administration’s first day.
Judge Patti Saris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that Trump’s ban was “arbitrary, capricious and unlawful” and struck down the president’s action entirely.
Trump published a memorandum On January 20, the development of offshore wind farms in U.S. coastal waters was banned and permitting for onshore projects was paused.
Led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, 17 states sued Trump in May to overturn the president’s ban. They argued that this created an “existential threat to the wind industry”.
States, especially in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, are pursuing offshore wind projects to meet future energy demand while trying to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
“As New Yorkers face rising energy costs, we need more energy sources, not less,” James said in a statement. “Wind energy is beneficial to our environment, economy, and communities. I am grateful that the court stepped in to block the administration’s reckless and unlawful fight against clean energy.”
