Lawsuit Claims Pentagon Delays Wind Farm Projects

Renewable energy groups are taking legal action against the U.S. military. They argue that national security reviews for new wind farms on private land have been delayed for several months. This pause threatens $47 billion in investments and numerous jobs across 21 states.

Around 10% of the electricity in the U.S. comes from wind farms, making it the largest source of renewable energy in the country. In 2025, a lawsuit was filed against the Pentagon by nine groups, including Renewable Northwest. They claim that the delay “poses an existential threat” to the wind energy sector.

The Pentagon responded that it must balance new energy projects with military needs. A military office is reviewing these energy projects, but the process is complicated and involves multiple agencies. They also assess wind energy during a review by the Federal Aviation Administration.

On Thursday, the plaintiffs asked a court to order the Pentagon to resume its normal review process for wind energy projects. The Pentagon, however, has not commented on the ongoing legal case.

Charles River Associates, a consulting firm, estimates that at least 106 wind projects are now at risk because of the delays. These projects could provide nearly 30 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power millions of homes. The current hold on these projects could affect over 120,000 jobs related to wind energy.

How much do you know?

What percentage of electricity in the U.S. comes from wind farms?

5%

10%

15%

20%

How much in investments is threatened due to the delays in national security reviews?

$30 billion

$40 billion

$47 billion

$50 billion

How many states are affected by the threatened investments?

15

18

21

25

Which consulting firm provided estimates concerning the wind projects at risk?

McKinsey & Company

PwC

Charles River Associates

Boston Consulting Group

In what year was a lawsuit filed against the Pentagon by nine groups?

2020

2022

2023

2025

What kind of energy projects is the Pentagon reviewing?

Solar energy

Nuclear energy

Wind energy

Geothermal energy

The U.S. military is not involved in the review of wind energy projects.

True False

Renewable energy groups have taken legal action against the Pentagon.

True False

The hold on wind projects could potentially affect over 100,000 jobs.

True False

Wind energy is the second largest source of renewable energy in the U.S.

True False

Nine groups, including Renewable Northwest, are involved in the lawsuit against the Pentagon.

True False

The Pentagon has publicly commented on the ongoing legal case regarding wind energy projects.

True False

The current hold on projects could affect over jobs related to wind energy.

Around 10% of the electricity in the U.S. comes from farms.

Renewable energy groups argue that security reviews have been delayed for several months.

The lawsuit filed against the Pentagon was by nine groups, including Northwest.

The Pentagon is trying to balance new energy projects with needs.

Charles River Associates estimates that at least wind projects are now at risk because of delays.

This question is required