18 States Sue to Overturn Trump’s Offshore Wind Shutdown

Eighteen attorneys general have filed a federal lawsuit opposing U.S. president Donald Trump’s decision to shut down offshore wind projects, arguing the action is “unlawful and can jeopardise the continued development of a power source critical to the states’ economic vitality, energy mix, public health, and climate goals.”

The lawsuit, submitted to the U.S. District Court in Boston, includes attorneys general from 17 states along with the District of Columbia. New York and Massachusetts are leading the charge, as these states have been most directly impacted by the Trump administration’s crackdown on offshore wind initiatives.

Named plaintiffs in the legal action include New York, Massachusetts, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington State.

According to the complaint, neither the president nor executive agencies provided “any detailed justification to explain the abrupt change in longstanding federal policy supporting the development of wind energy.”

This legal challenge adds further intensity to the national debate over offshore wind, a sector that Trump has tried to freeze while pushing for accelerated oil and gas development across the country.

“Executive actions encouraged domestic energy development – that is, all but wind and other renewable energy – and directed agencies to shortcut environmental reviews for other forms of energy, the very same reviews the Wind Directive labels as inadequate for wind energy,” the complaint pointed out.

The Wind Directive has largely stalled offshore wind development, despite the sector generating billions in economic benefits, tax revenue, and providing more than 10% of the nation’s electricity supply.

“I am united with [New York] attorney general Letitia James, governor Hochul, and the 17 other states alongside New York for the logical resumption of wind energy projects and to move them forward to secure a reliable and abundant energy supply for future generations,” said Doreen Harris, president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.