Trump administration cites national security in stalling 165 wind farms

The Trump administration has effectively halted the development of onshore wind energy in the United States, raising national security issues as the primary concern. This decision marks a significant escalation in the administration's ongoing battle against renewable energy initiatives. According to the American Clean Power Association (ACP) and sources familiar with the situation, the Department of Defense (DoD) has stalled approvals for approximately 165 onshore wind projects located on private lands. This includes projects that were poised for final approval, those currently in negotiation, and others that typically would not necessitate DoD oversight. Wind farms are subject to routine evaluations by the defense department to ensure they do not disrupt radar systems. This assessment typically analyzes potential risks and involves developers contributing funds to update the military's radar filter systems for better detection of wind turbines. Certain projects can be classified as low-risk based on their distance from military installations and air traffic routes, with these assessments normally taking just a few days. Since August 2025, developers have encountered various obstacles, including a lack of communication from the DoD, canceled meetings regarding project statuses, and notifications that their applications have been put on hold. Among the stalled projects are 35 that had already completed negotiations, pending approval from the DoD, as first reported by Axios in March. The situation seems to be worsening, with 30 projects having received verbal approvals but now stuck waiting for written confirmation, alongside around 50 others in negotiation phases, and an additional 50 that previously would have been considered low-risk, according to developers and consultants.