Attorneys general in Oregon, Washington, and 17 other states have joined a lawsuit against the Trump administration’s refusal to approve wind energy projects.
Under federal law, because utility-scale wind turbines are over 200 feet tall, their installation requires the Department of Defense to certify that they won’t affect radar systems or flight paths — or else tell project developers what changes to make to win approval. The reviews and approvals were routine until August 2025, when they stopped cold. More than 155 wind projects totaling 30 gigawatts are on hold as a result, according to a trade group.
Donald Trump has publicly criticized wind turbines since 2012, when he opposed turbine construction near a Trump branded golf course in Scotland. On Jan. 20, 2025, his first day back in the White House, he issued an executive order indefinitely halting all federal approvals necessary for the development of wind energy projects. The order itself was struck down by a federal judge as unlawful, arbitrary and capricious, but under Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Defense Department’s refusal to approve wind projects has continued.
“I can proudly say, Doug, that we have not approved one windmill since I’ve been in office,” Trump told Interior Secretary Doug Burgum at a staged White House press event in March 2026. “And we’re going to keep it that way. My goal is to not let any windmill be built.”
On May 31, wind energy developers and advocates filed suit to stop the freeze, naming as defendants the U.S. Department of Defense and Hegseth in his capacity as defense secretary.
Joining that suit July 16, The attorneys general argue that such a categorical and indefinite halt violates what Congress said its intent was when it passed the law — to foster wind project development while mitigating any effects on national security. Plaintiffs say the Pentagon’s wind project freeze also interferes with state energy goals and that it will drive up the cost of electricity by preventing the development of new generating capacity.
In Oregon, the freeze is putting more than 4,700 jobs at risk, according to the lawsuit. Projects on hold include the 500 MW Big River Wind Project the 550 MW Odyssey Wind Project, and the 103 MW Rattlesnake Road Repower Project, all in Gilliam County east of The Dalles.
In Washington, Attorney General Nick Brown said 4,532 jobs are in limbo with five projects on hold: the 450 MW Crider Valley Wind Energy Project, 200 MW Riverside Wind Project, 300 MW Springboard Wind Project, 300 MW Great Bend Wind Project, and 378 MW Cloudwalker Wind Project.
Besides Oregon and Washington, the lawsuit is joined by Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Rhode Island.
Oregon Building Trades Unions, the state council representing construction unions, is preparing to file an amicus brief in support of the lawsuit.
Related