Democratic-led states file suit to stop Trump's cancellation of wind project

On Monday, a coalition of Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit to stop President Donald Trump from suspending leasing and permitting new wind projects. They claim that this move threatens to cripple both the wind industry and clean energy. In a federal court lawsuit filed in Boston, 17 states and the District of Columbia argued that President Donald Trump's decision to indefinitely suspend all federal wind energy approvals was unlawful and should be blocked. Trump announced the pause in his first day of office, January 20, when he instructed his administration to stop offshore wind lease sales as well as the issuance and granting of permits, leases, and loans for onshore and offshore projects.

Letitia J. James, a Democrat and New York Attorney General, stated that "this administration is destroying one of the nation's fastest growing sources of clean, affordable, and reliable energy."

The lawsuit is seeking a court order declaring that the indefinite pause was unlawful and prohibiting agencies, including the U.S. The Departments of Commerce and Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency are prohibited from implementing Trump’s directive.

The White House didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.

(source: Reuters)