New York says federal freeze puts $445 million in wind projects at risk
New York Attorney General Letitia James and 18 other attorneys general, along with the District of Columbia, are asking a federal court to let them join a lawsuit challenging what they describe as an alleged Department of Defense freeze on routine reviews of land-based wind projects.
The states filed their intervention request on July 16, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. New York says the alleged freeze is delaying two proposed projects in the state: the 290-megawatt Canisteo Wind Energy Project in Steuben County and the 162-megawatt Maple Harvest Wind Project in Onondaga County.
New York says the projects and other affected developments represent at least $445 million in private investment and 806 jobs. Those figures were supplied by project companies and industry groups involved in the underlying lawsuit. They are estimates, not independently audited totals or confirmed losses.
What New York is asking the court to do
The coalition is asking to intervene in the existing case and wants the court to declare the alleged freeze unlawful. It also asks the court to require the Defense Department to resume the reviews and approvals required under federal law.
The underlying lawsuit was brought by renewable-energy groups, which allege that the Defense Department stopped countersigning mitigation agreements in August 2025 and later stopped advancing other agreements and communications with developers. The states argue that the delays interfere with state energy planning and renewable-power goals.
The case remains unresolved. The court has not ruled on the merits of the allegations. According to FingerLakes1 reporting, the original plaintiffs did not oppose the states’ request to intervene, while Defense Department lawyers reserved their position and said they intended to respond.
Why the review matters to wind developers
Before a land-based wind farm is built, the Federal Aviation Administration reviews proposed projects with turbines taller than 200 feet for possible hazards to air navigation. The FAA works with defense officials to evaluate whether the structures could affect military operations, radar systems, flight paths or national security.
When concerns arise, developers and federal officials can negotiate mitigation measures. Those measures may include changing turbine locations or heights, upgrading radar systems or agreeing to temporarily pause generation under certain conditions.
New York’s filing says the Defense Department had followed a predictable review process for more than a decade before the alleged freeze. The state says officials stopped countersigning agreements, stopped sending completed agreements to developers for signature and delayed or halted communications about mitigation.
The Defense Department has said its siting clearinghouse is actively reviewing land-based wind projects. In comments reported by The Associated Press, a Pentagon official described the reviews as complex and time-consuming and said the department intended to complete them without compromising national security or military operations.
Two projects named by the state
Canisteo and Maple Harvest together total 452 megawatts of proposed capacity. New York has not said in its intervention announcement that either project is approved, under construction or guaranteed to proceed.
The Canisteo project is identified in the state filing as a 290-megawatt development in Steuben County. Maple Harvest is identified as a 162-megawatt project in Onondaga County. The state says both are among projects being held up by the alleged federal review delays.
The filings do not establish a specific construction date, commercial operation date, change in electricity bills or risk of a statewide power shortage. They describe potential consequences for project development, investment, jobs and energy planning if the alleged delays continue.
How this fits New York’s energy planning
New York is pursuing a renewable-energy pipeline through state procurement. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority announced a new land-based renewable-energy solicitation in April as part of that effort.
New York law requires electric utilities to use at least 70% renewable energy by 2030, and the state has separate statutory greenhouse-gas reduction targets. The coalition argues that delays in a federal review step could make those goals harder to reach. That is a litigation argument, not a court finding that the alleged freeze has changed the state’s ability to meet its targets.
The next significant step is procedural: the Oregon federal court must consider whether to allow New York and the other states to intervene. The underlying challenge to the Defense Department’s alleged freeze will also remain pending.
Sources
- New York Attorney General: Wind-project intervention announcement
- FingerLakes1: New York seeks to join federal wind lawsuit
- Associated Press: Pentagon review delays affecting wind projects
- NYSERDA: Land-Based Renewable Energy Solicitation
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