The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has issued a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of certain federal permitting policies affecting wind and solar energy projects. The decision was issued by Chief Judge Denise Casper in a case brought by multiple industry and advocacy organisations, including RENEW Northeast and Alliance for Clean Energy New York.
The court found that the plaintiffs are likely to succeed in their claim that the challenged policies were adopted unlawfully under the Administrative Procedure Act.
The ruling addresses policies introduced by the U.S. Department of the Interior and related agencies, including a revised review process for project permitting and criteria affecting the evaluation of certain energy projects.
The injunction applies to members of the plaintiff organisations and prevents enforcement of the contested policies while the case proceeds.
