A federal judge has ordered the US Department of Defense to resume reviews of onshore wind projects and address delays that have affected wind development across the USA. Judge Karin Immergut of the US District Court for the District of Oregon issued a preliminary injunction in a case brought by a coalition of renewable energy organisations. The groups argued that the Trump administration had unlawfully delayed dozens of wind projects by suspending military reviews that assess potential impacts on radar and flight paths.
The judge found that the renewable energy groups were likely to succeed in their case and that the Pentagon had failed to meet legal deadlines after suspending the reviews. The department must resume reviewing wind projects and report to the court on its progress every 30 days while the wider case continues.
The Pentagon has suspended military reviews of proposed wind farms since April. These reviews form part of the approval process for large wind projects, with the Federal Aviation Administration referring applications to the Department of Defense to assess potential impacts on military radar and nearby air bases.
The delays have affected at least 106 planned wind projects across 21 states, according to the renewable energy groups involved in the case.
The ruling does not require the Pentagon to approve individual wind projects. It requires the department to restart reviews and comply with applicable legal deadlines.
