Brandon Mulder is a journalism fellow at the University of Texas Energy Institute.
In a significant turn of events, dozens of wind energy projects across Texas find themselves stalled due to a recent pause by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) on issuing routine federal permits. This action, prompted by national security concerns, has drawn attention from experts who see it as a continuation of the previous administration’s campaign against renewable energy, particularly wind power.
Data from the American Clean Power Association reveals that 54 wind projects in Texas are currently awaiting the DoD’s review of their development plans. These reviews are crucial to ensure that wind turbines do not interfere with military operations, contributing to a nationwide backlog of 165 onshore wind projects, as reported by the Financial Times.
According to federal law, any structure exceeding 200 feet — which includes wind turbines — must undergo an evaluation process that begins with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This review is essential for determining potential conflicts with military airspace.
Typically, the DoD is required to complete these evaluations within 60 days of receiving an application from the FAA. However, industry experts like Dave Belote, a wind energy consultant, report that the entire process has come to a standstill. “Right now, the entire process has just ground to a halt,” he stated, highlighting the frustration felt by developers.
In past years, the evaluations usually resolved quickly, allowing developers to agree on mitigation strategies if a turbine posed a potential conflict with military operations. “In the past, those have been fairly trivial — you meet the requirements and you get the permit,” noted Jonathon Blackburn, an Austin-based energy consultant. Yet, since August 2025, the DoD has not approved any new wind projects, and in April, it canceled all pending meetings with developers awaiting project clearances.
The delays in the permitting process have cascading effects on project development, making it difficult for developers to secure financing and jeopardizing local permits that hinge on federal approvals. “There’s a lot of delay coming out of the permitting process from the federal government, and delays add cost,” Blackburn explained. This creates a scenario where the federal government doesn’t outright halt projects but can significantly prolong their timelines.
A DoD representative stated that the department continues to evaluate the projects to balance energy development with national security needs. This evaluation process is complex and time-consuming, requiring extensive coordination among various government agencies.
While the DoD emphasizes its commitment to national security, critics argue that the current policies reflect a broader disregard for renewable energy sources. “It’s not clear why these policies are being implemented during an affordability crisis, but I think it shows the level of disdain the administration has for renewable energy in general and wind power specifically,” commented Michael Webber, an energy professor at the University of Texas.
Texas, which boasts the highest number of wind turbines in the U.S., also hosts numerous military installations. A report by the Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute identified 17 military bases with flight facilities in the state, alongside extensive airspace dedicated to military operations.
The current pause aligns with a pattern of actions taken by the administration to curb wind power expansion. Recently, the Interior Department suspended leases for five significant offshore projects, citing national security concerns over radar interference. However, federal judges later ruled that the government had overstepped its authority, allowing those projects to resume construction.
In a surprising move, the Interior Department has also negotiated agreements with companies like TotalEnergies, offering substantial payments to abandon planned offshore wind projects in favor of fossil fuel investments, raising further questions about the administration’s commitment to renewable energy.
