Exclusive: Wind projects delayed as Trump's Pentagon reviews stall

Axios
by Amy Harder
March 30, 2026
4 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Pentagon's stalled military clearance reviews have blocked over 30 wind farm projects totaling 7.5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.

How This Affects You

Delayed wind projects could slow grid modernization and AI data center deployment, potentially raising electricity costs and limiting job creation.

AI Summary

More than 30 onshore wind farm projects totaling roughly 7.5 gigawatts of capacity are stalled because the Trump administration's Pentagon is sitting on routine military clearance reviews, according to Jason Grumet, head of the American Clean Power Association. The delays are blocking power generation needed for AI data centers that Trump has backed as central to the U.S. global AI race, even as his administration publicly pushes for faster permitting. The Pentagon's mitigation agreements—signed agreements that allow wind farms to proceed—have piled up unsigned in recent months, a departure from historical practice. Interior Secretary Doug Burgess has said onshore wind poses fewer national security concerns than offshore projects, yet the Pentagon reviews remain stalled. The American Clean Power Association sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of War Dale Marks this month demanding explanation and has threatened to sue under federal administrative law if it doesn't receive a response by April 8.

What's Being Done

The American Clean Power Association sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of War Dale Marks demanding explanation and threatened to sue under federal administrative law if no response is received by April 8.

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