A U.S. federal court has blocked the enforcement of a memo from the Department of the Interior meant to slow the permitting process for solar and wind projects.

The department’s policies have formed a blockade on potentially hundreds of solar projects since their July 2025 enactment. According to officials from Reuters, the memo required that “nearly ⁠every step” in the permitting process be approved by three of President Trump’s senior political appointees, including Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

In a 73-page preliminary injunction, Chief U.S. District Judge Denise J. Casper says that “a change of existing policy requires, at minimum, a reasoned explanation for the change and an awareness that the agency is changing position.”

Casper adds that the court believes the plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the argument that the DOI Land Order is acting against the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Specifically, the APA states that the courts must “hold unlawful and set aside agency action . . . not in accordance with law.”

Associations react

In a joint statement, nine renewable energy groups called the ruling “an undeniable victory” for the renewable energy industry. Additionally, the groups say that households and businesses around America will benefit from the quickening of solar installations, even in utility-scale and commercial applications.

Darren Van’t Hof, the interim president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), also issued a statement on behalf of the association and the renewable energy industry at large.

“This ruling is a win for affordable energy in America, a win for American consumers, and a win for workers. Energy costs are rising for Americans, and the only way to put downward pressure on prices is with more power, not less. Low-cost, quick-to-deploy solar and storage are key to meeting the Trump Administration’s goals of keeping costs down for Americans and bolstering our AI leadership on the world stage.

“This is a constructive step forward toward letting America’s solar and storage industry build and deliver more American energy to households and businesses nationwide.”

Oceantic Network CEO Liz Burdock also says the ruling is an affirmation that the federal government’s recent actions regarding renewable energy are “unlawful.” When it comes to non-solar projects, she says the offshore wind landscape also plays a role in bolstering the American energy grid.

“Today’s ruling is another decisive affirmation that the current administration’s blanket actions against renewable energy are unlawful — and another major victory for American workers, American businesses, and our nation’s energy future,” says Oceantic Network CEO Liz Burdock. “Offshore wind continues to demonstrate its critical role in lowering energy costs, strengthening grid reliability, and unlocking billions in new investments in American steelmaking and shipbuilding.”

Tags: Department of the Interior, policy, Trump administration