17 States Sue Trump Administration for Its Anti-Wind Energy Policy
President Donald Trump has said that he will go after states that have policies to address climate change or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. On Monday, 17 states and the District of Columbia returned the favor by filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its anti-wind energy policies.
Under Trump, who promised to implement a policy “where no windmills are being built,” the federal government has bolstered fossil fuel projects and deterred renewable energy development. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently halted the construction of an offshore wind project that would power 500,000 homes, whose federal lease was approved in 2017 under the first Trump administration. The Environmental Protection Agency has also rescinded Clean Air Act permits for a New Jersey offshore wind project, which had “​​devoted extensive time and resources to follow a complex, multi-year permitting process, resulting in final project approvals that conform with the law,” according to the project’s developer.
The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts, challenges a Day 1 executive order signed by the president to indefinitely halt federal leasing for offshore wind energy projects. The order was signed the same day that Trump declared a national energy emergency to address America’s “insufficient energy production.” The states are asking a federal judge to “declare the order unlawful and stop federal agencies from implementing it,” reports the Associated Press.
Trump’s wind energy executive order “has stopped most wind-energy development in its tracks” and was issued with no “reasoned explanation,” according to the lawsuit. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, a plaintiff in the suit, called Trump’s wind energy directive “illegal.” New York Attorney General Letitia James, the lead plaintiff, said the Trump adm
Article from Reason.com
The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.
