New York and 17 other states asked a federal judge Thursday to let them join a lawsuit challenging what they describe as a Department of Defense freeze on wind energy project reviews.
The proposed complaint says the policy is delaying the 290-megawatt Canisteo Wind Energy Project and the 162-megawatt Maple Harvest Wind Project in New York.
The states and the District of Columbia filed their motion in U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon. New York is represented in the case by Attorney General Letitia James.
The states allege the Defense Department stopped executing mitigation agreements in August 2025 and later stopped drafting new agreements. Such agreements are used when proposed wind projects could affect military training, operations or radar systems.
The filing says at least $445 million in private investment and 806 jobs are at risk in New York, citing figures supplied by the energy companies and trade groups that filed the underlying lawsuit. The claims have not yet been resolved by the court.
The coalition argues the federal action interferes with state energy planning, raises costs and makes it harder for New York to meet its requirement for 70% renewable electricity by 2030. The states are asking the court to declare the alleged freeze unlawful and block its enforcement.
The original plaintiffs do not oppose the states' request to intervene, according to the filing. Defense Department lawyers reserved their position and said they intended to respond.
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