The Trump administration is canceling its approval for what would have been one of the largest wind farms in the United States, marking an escalation in President Donald Trump’s crackdown on the renewable energy industry.

The Interior Department announced Wednesday that it was reversing the Biden administration’s “misguided, last-minute” decision to approve the Lava Ridge Wind Project on public lands in southern Idaho.

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“Under President Donald Trump’s bold leadership, the Department is putting the brakes on deficient, unreliable energy and putting the American people first,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.

“By reversing the Biden administration’s thoughtless approval of the Lava Ridge Wind Project, we are protecting tens of thousands of acres from harmful wind policy while shielding the interests of rural Idaho communities,” Burgum said. “This decisive action defends the American taxpayer, safeguards our land, and averts what would have been one of the largest, most irresponsible wind projects in the nation.”

The Lava Ridge Wind Project was approved by the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land Management in December 2024.

The wind farm was expected to consist of 231 wind turbines, stretching as tall as 660 feet, with an anticipated capacity of over 1,000 megawatts, generating enough energy to power as many as 500,000 homes.

Trump’s Interior Department has claimed that the approval for the project was rushed through and that there were “crucial legal deficiencies” related to the decision.

Local residents and lawmakers have long opposed the project. Gov. Brad Little (R-ID) signed an executive order in January titled “Gone with the Lava Ridge Wind Project Act.”

One month later, the Idaho House of Representatives voted unanimously to oppose the wind farm.

Rep. Mike Simpson (R-ID) applauded the cancellation on Wednesday, saying the project has “no place” in the state.

“Today’s decision confirms that common sense and the will of the people prevailed,” the congressman said. “President Trump heard us, and showed that Idahoans’ voices matter.”

The Interior Department’s decision paves the way for the public lands to be used for other energy or infrastructure projects, including nuclear power.

In July, local reports revealed that Sawtooth Energy Development Corporation, a local developer, sought to build six small modular reactors on the same site. These advanced nuclear reactors would generate up to 462 megawatts of energy.

The cancellation of the wind project’s approval is the latest move from the Trump administration to stymie wind energy development both on and offshore.

The president insisted late last month that his administration would not allow a windmill to be built in the U.S., a promise many in the industry believe just might come true, particularly for offshore wind.

The Interior Department has led the charge in issuing new policies and restrictions for future projects, such as requiring all agency-related decisions and actions related to wind and solar energy facilities to undergo strict “elevated” reviews by Burgum’s office.

The agency is also reviewing all policies biased toward wind and solar energy, reviewing mortality rates for migratory birds associated with wind energy projects, and considering terminating “wind energy areas” for future development.

WIND INDUSTRY DOUBTS ANY NEW OFFSHORE PROJECTS IN NEXT YEAR THANKS TO TRUMP

Additionally, the Interior Department announced last week that it was rescinding all designated wind energy areas for offshore development on the U.S. outer continental shelf and would only be permitting energy projects “that are the most appropriate use of the federal land and resources.”

There are only five offshore wind projects under construction. Multiple wind advocates told the Washington Examiner they doubt any additional farms will be able to start construction within the next year, if not the rest of Trump’s term.