President Donald Trump ordered a halt to new leases and permits for wind projects on his first day back at the White House.
The order stops short of freezing construction of offshore projects along the East Coast, as sought by wind opponents and feared by the industry’s supporters. But it does direct the Interior secretary to review existing wind permits.
The moves amounted to an extraordinary attack on America’s largest renewable energy industry, both on land and at sea.
The order singled out an Idaho wind project, saying its permit had been approved “contrary to the public interest.” It issued a moratorium on the 231-turbine development pending a review by the Interior secretary. And it directed the attorney general to seek a stay or postponement of pending litigation until a review of wind permits and leases is complete.
