California, along with 17 other states and Washington, D.C., has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging an executive order that halts the development of wind energy projects. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, aims to block the order issued on January 20 by President Donald Trump, which temporarily withdraws areas on the outer Continental Shelf from offshore wind leasing.
According to NPR, the coalition of attorneys general argues that the executive order threatens jobs, investments, and efforts to transition away from fossil fuels. New York Attorney General Letitia James, leading the coalition, stated that the directive could result in the loss of thousands of jobs and billions in investments. The attorneys general claim that President Trump lacks the authority to unilaterally halt the permitting process, which they say is crucial for meeting energy and climate goals.
The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of violating several laws, including the Administrative Procedure Act and the Clean Air Act. The ESG Dive report highlights that the executive order cited concerns over navigational safety, national security, and environmental impacts as reasons for the halt. The order also directed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to review federal wind leasing and permitting practices.
The states involved in the lawsuit, including California, New York, and Massachusetts, argue that the order contradicts years of bipartisan support for wind energy and impedes their significant investments in wind industry infrastructure. The plaintiffs seek to have the order declared unlawful and to prevent federal agencies from implementing it.
The Trump administration has defended the order, with White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers accusing Democratic attorneys general of using legal means to oppose the president’s energy agenda. The administration argues that the order is necessary to ensure low-cost energy and electricity for the United States.
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