A lawsuit has been filed by Renewable Northwest and other clean energy organisations against the United States Department of Defense, alleging what they describe as an “unprecedented campaign against wind energy”. The case, filed on 31 May in the United States District Court in Oregon, centres on claims that the Pentagon has effectively halted or delayed mandatory national security review processes required for wind energy developments on private land.
The plaintiffs argue that the suspension of these reviews has created a de facto block on new wind project development, as Federal Aviation Administration approvals depend on completion of the Department of Defense’s assessment of potential impacts on military operations.
According to court filings the lawsuit alleges the Defence Department has failed to complete or properly advance reviews for a large number of proposed projects, contributing to widespread delays across the sector.
The case, listed as Renewable Northwest v. Hegseth, was brought by a coalition of nine clean energy groups and is asking the court to order the Department of Defense to resume its standard review procedures and restore normal permitting timelines for wind projects.
