The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit has formally dismissed the Trump administration’s appeal against a ruling that struck down the federal government’s suspension of permits for onshore and offshore wind energy projects, securing a final legal victory for a coalition of 18 states led by Massachusetts and New York.

The dispute began on January 20, 2025, when President Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum that indefinitely froze all federal approvals required for the development of wind energy projects pending a federal review.

As a result of the directive, several federal agencies halted permitting and approval activities for new wind developments. In response, a coalition of state attorneys general filed a lawsuit arguing that the measure was unlawful and undermined state energy, climate, and economic objectives.

In December 2025, a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled in favor of the states, finding that the suspension was “arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law.” The federal government appealed the decision but later chose to withdraw its appeal.

On June 15, 2026, the First Circuit Court of Appeals granted the request for voluntary dismissal, leaving the lower court’s ruling intact and bringing the case to a close.

Massachusetts highlights protection of offshore wind investments

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell said the decision safeguards the state’s substantial investments in offshore wind energy.

According to Campbell, Massachusetts has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in offshore wind development and currently has several projects at different stages of development, including Vineyard Wind. Once completed, these projects are expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 1.4 million homes.

Massachusetts enacted legislation in 2022 requiring the state to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with renewable energy playing a central role in meeting that target.

Washington underscores wind energy’s role in its power mix

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown described the ruling as another setback for efforts to restrict renewable energy development.

Brown noted that wind power is the state’s second-largest renewable energy source after hydropower. In 2024, Washington generated 8,421 GWh of electricity from wind, contributing to both energy security and emissions reduction goals.

States argued economic and climate impacts

The coalition maintained that the permitting freeze threatened billions of dollars in investments related to infrastructure, supply chains, and workforce development tied to the wind industry.

The attorneys general also argued that the suspension hindered access to reliable and affordable energy sources, jeopardized emissions-reduction efforts, and undermined state clean energy targets.

The court agreed that federal agencies failed to provide a reasoned explanation for imposing a categorical and indefinite halt to wind energy approvals.

The lawsuit was led by Massachusetts and New York, with support from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.