New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, joining 17 other attorneys general in response to an indefinite halt on wind energy development. This legal action follows a Presidential Memorandum issued by President Trump on January 20, which stopped all federal approvals for offshore and onshore wind energy projects.
Governor Phil Murphy emphasized the importance of wind energy in New Jersey's goal to achieve 100 percent clean electricity sales by 2035. "Wind energy has the potential to generate thousands of good-paying jobs, reduce harmful emissions, and secure a healthier, more sustainable future for all New Jerseyans," he stated.
Attorney General Platkin criticized the administration's actions as prioritizing oil and gas profits over environmental concerns and job creation. "It is deeply disappointing that the Trump Administration is illegally attempting to block our state from developing new sources of power through their across-the-board freeze on wind energy," he said.
The lawsuit claims that the directive harms states' efforts to secure reliable and affordable energy sources while reducing emissions. It also threatens investments in wind industry infrastructure, which amount to billions of dollars.
The coalition argues that the directive violates the Administrative Procedure Act and other federal laws due to its arbitrary nature without reasoned explanation. The complaint also alleges violations of federal statutes concerning permitting procedures.
Joining New Jersey in this legal challenge are attorneys general from New York, Massachusetts, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.
