Full Breakdown
Pentagon Review Delays Stall Over 250 Land-Based Wind Projects
5/8/2026, 7:27:29 AM
Stalled Reviews Halt New Land-Based Wind Development
The Pentagon has halted the transmission of more than 250 pending onshore wind farm proposals to the Federal Aviation Administration for national-security review, effectively pausing new land-based wind development in over 30 states.
Statutory Review Process and Recent Backlog
In accordance with statutory and regulatory requirements, the Department of Defense reviews wind-energy projects for potential interference with radar and air navigation before the FAA issues final permits. Historically, the Pentagon’s clearance office forwarded completed assessments to the FAA within weeks. In recent weeks, the office ceased all transmittals, creating a backlog unprecedented in scale.
Key Stakeholders
The American Clean Power (ACP) industry association, led by CEO Jason Grumet, has raised the issue with the Pentagon. Pentagon principal deputy assistant secretary for energy, installations and the environment Robert Thompson is the point-person for the review process. Consulting firm Baringa, represented by partner Tom Harper, also tracks project status.
Scope of the Backlog
ACP reports more than 250 projects, representing at least 30 GW of capacity, awaiting clearance. Roughly 50 of those projects are located in Texas, the state with the largest number of pending sites. Developers must begin construction by July 4 to secure expiring clean-energy tax credits.
Pentagon’s Official Position
The Pentagon says it is evaluating wind proposals to ensure they do not compromise national security or military operations, noting coordination can be complex and time-consuming. The department cites the fall shutdown as a factor and says reviews will be completed as quickly as possible.
Industry Criticism and Potential Impacts
ACP’s Grumet says the pause effectively halts new projects, warning that prolonged delays could obstruct the industry amid rising electricity demand and utility costs. Baringa’s Harper says many developers cannot meet the July 4 tax-credit deadline without clearance signatures, risking loss of incentives.
Conflicting Accounts and Information Gaps
The Pentagon says it is evaluating proposals, yet ACP records a halt to draft mitigation agreements in February and cancelled meetings in April. Public statements lack a quantified backlog, leaving uncertainty about how many projects beyond the reported 250 remain stalled.
Verbatim Quotes
- “de facto moratorium” — Jason Grumet, CEO, American Clean Power
- “The department intends to complete review of all companies’ proposals efficiently without compromising the integrity of the review,” — Robert Thompson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installations and the Environment
- “as soon as feasible.” — Robert Thompson, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy, Installations and the Environment
- “Many need to begin construction by a July 4 deadline to qualify for expiring clean energy tax credits, but they cannot do this without these signatures, said Tom Harper, partner at Baringa.” — Tom Harper, Partner, Baringa
Outlook and Pending Actions
The Pentagon has indicated that reviews will be completed as quickly as possible. Developers aim to meet the July 4 clean-energy tax-credit deadline, and ACP and other stakeholders continue to seek timely signatures from the department.
