Federal judge voids Trump's anti-wind memo
U.S. District Judge Patti Saris (D. Mass.) on Monday struck down President Trump’s Jan. 20 directive that agencies used to stall federal permitting and leasing for wind projects, ruling it “arbitrary and capricious.” The case, brought by New York and other states alongside the Alliance for Clean Energy New York, found agencies failed to provide a reasoned explanation; however, the practical impact may hinge on other overlapping administration policies that agencies could still cite.
📌 Key Facts
- Judge Patti Saris ruled the Jan. 20, 2025 order unlawful under the Administrative Procedure Act.
- Plaintiffs included the State of New York and the Alliance for Clean Energy New York.
- EDF praised the ruling; the White House said Biden-era wind received unfair preference and signaled continued scrutiny of renewables.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, wind power generated 453.5 terawatt-hours, accounting for 10.54% of electricity in the United States.
Wind power in the United States — Wikipedia
In FY 2024, wind and solar tax credits outweighed the tax deductions of oil and gas companies by a factor of 15.
Wind and Solar Energy Subsidies vs. Oil and Gas Tax Deductions — Institute for Energy Research
Wind turbines kill around 150,000 birds every year in the US, compared to around one billion by free-roaming cats.
Onshore wind power effectively costs $0 per megawatt-hour when subsidies are included, making it the cheapest source of electricity in the US in 2024.
America's Cheapest Sources of Electricity in 2024 — Visual Capitalist
The US wind industry supported 125,580 jobs in 2023.
Wind Market Reports: 2024 Edition — Department of Energy
📊 Analysis & Commentary (1)
"The City Journal piece argues that while both parties rhetorically back permitting reform, they pursue different priorities — the SPEED Act will reveal whether pro‑growth 'abundance' goals (energy/infrastructure/housing) can overcome ideological fights over which projects get expedited and how environmental safeguards are preserved."