A federal judge in Massachusetts on Monday overturned President Donald Trump’s sweeping moratorium on new wind power projects in the United States, which was signed on his first day in office.

The moratorium on wind leases prohibited any new or renewed approvals for offshore wind farms pending a comprehensive assessment of federal leasing and permitting practices. The order also directed the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a comprehensive review of the ecological, economic, and environmental necessity of terminating or amending any existing wind energy leases. 

New York Attorney General Letitia James led a group of 17 states in suing the administration to stop the order in May, claiming it created “an existential threat to the wind industry.”

Judge Patti Saris, who was appointed by former President Bill Clinton, ruled the moves by the administration to suspend the wind authorizations are illegal.

“No permits have been issued since the Wind Order was promulgated, and the Agency Defendants acknowledge that they will not issue any permits at least until they complete the Comprehensive Assessment, for which there is no timeline,” Saris wrote. “That action is contrary to law.”

James praised the court order in a statement to CNBC, claiming that the suspension of the wind authorizations hurt New Yorkers and other Americans by raising energy prices.

“As New Yorkers face rising energy costs, we need more energy sources, not fewer,” James said. “Wind energy is good for our environment, our economy, and our communities. I am grateful the court stepped in to block the administration’s reckless and unlawful crusade against clean energy.”

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.