A federal judge on Monday rejected the Trump administration\u2019s effort to halt approvals for all new wind energy projects \u2014 dealing a blow to the president\u2019s efforts to hamper renewable energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Judge Patti Saris, appointed by former President Clinton,<\/u><\/a> ruled that moves from the Interior Department, Commerce Department, Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to suspend all wind authorizations are illegal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo 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,\u201d Saris wrote. \u201cThat action is contrary to law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n She vacated what she described as the agencies\u2019 \u201cwind order\u201d \u2014 that is, their \u201cdecision to suspend issuing all authorizations related to wind energy projects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The decision comes after a\u2002challenge<\/u><\/a> from 17 Democrat-led states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Trump has long sought to hamper wind projects and has for years complained about them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n