Trump is losing his war on wind power

In a recent legal ruling, a US District Court in Oregon has mandated the US government to resume the process of approving wind projects. All new wind development in the United States was halted since August 2025 when the Department of Defense (DoD) ceased involvement in a procedure that allows it to pressure developers to modify projects to reduce interference with radar equipment.

The court, however, determined that the DoD's national security arguments were insufficient to withdraw from a process that is legally mandatory. The Trump administration has consistently attempted to hinder wind development, both offshore and on land. Their methods to impede offshore wind included the same strategy under scrutiny in this case: claiming that drone developments imply radar interference by wind turbines poses a national security risk.

Courts have consistently dismissed this argument, even when they investigated a classified report used by the DoD to justify the restriction of offshore wind construction. Consequently, the administration has resorted to paying companies not to pursue wind development. Simultaneously, the government pursued a comparable strategy for onshore wind.

Under a law, the DoD was tasked with assessing potential issues posed by wind turbines and engaging in negotiations with developers to make necessary changes to wind farm plans. The government abandoned participation in this process in August 2025, initially by declining to endorse previously negotiated agreements, and subsequently by refusing to draft agreements altogether. This has led to a complete cessation of wind development in the US.