A federal judge has struck down a Trump administration order that sought to halt the development of wind energy projects. The decision, announced by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, vacates what was known as the “Wind Order,” which Judge Patti Saris described as arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law.
Attorney General Mayes said, “Trump’s illegal wind order would have driven up energy costs on Arizonans already struggling with high utility bills. In Arizona, wind energy projects on State Trust lands also generate critical revenue that supports our public schools. The Trump administration’s illegal freeze of these programs would have harmed Arizona and threatened our state’s economy and environment. I am proud to have sued to block this unlawful order.”
Judge Saris determined that Arizona and other states challenging the Wind Order had standing for several reasons. These included projected losses in tax and anticipated revenue due to delays in wind project development, obstacles to implementing greenhouse gas mitigation strategies, and increased long-term energy costs.
Arizona joined with California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington in filing the lawsuit against the Trump administration in May.
A copy of Judge Saris’ ruling is available here.
