Six states sue Trump administration over offshore wind lease cancellation
Six states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday over its decision to terminate a major offshore wind lease off the coast of New York. In March, federal officials agreed to pay French energy firm TotalEnergies nearly $1 billion in taxpayer funds to cancel plans for two offshore windfarms near New York and North Carolina. As part of the deal, TotalEnergies pledged not to develop any new offshore wind projects in the United States and invested hundreds of millions in oil and gas projects. The lawsuit, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, argues the agreement violates the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Judgment Fund Act. James stated the administration “cooked up a sham deal” after losing in court on previous attempts to halt wind development. The attorneys general of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont joined the suit. They ask a court to strike down the agreement, halt the lease cancellation, and prevent further implementation. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum defended the deal as a win for affordable energy, while green groups criticized the payment as harmful to consumers.
What’s reported
Six states sued the Trump administration on Tuesday over the cancellation of an offshore wind lease off New York.
In March, federal officials announced nearly $1 billion in taxpayer funds to TotalEnergies to terminate two offshore windfarms off New York and North Carolina.
TotalEnergies agreed to terminate the projects and pledged not to develop new US offshore wind, while investing hundreds of millions in oil and gas.
The lawsuit is led by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
James said the administration “cooked up a sham deal” after losing court battles over previous wind-stopping orders.
Attorneys general from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont are also plaintiffs.
The lawsuit claims violations of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and the Judgment Fund Act.
Plaintiffs ask a court to strike down the agreement, halt the lease cancellation, and prevent further implementation.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum called the deal “another win” for affordable and reliable energy, and criticized offshore wind as expensive and unreliable.
Sam Salustro of Oceantic Network said paying to remove affordable energy leaves consumers struggling with electricity bills.
Conflicting accounts
The source article presents opposing views: the Trump administration, through Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, hails the deal as a win for affordable and reliable energy and criticizes offshore wind as expensive and unreliable. In contrast, Attorney General Letitia James and green groups argue the deal is unlawful, harms jobs, and cheats consumers out of clean, affordable energy.
Key figures
Letitia James, New York Attorney General
Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior
Sam Salustro, senior vice-president of Oceantic Network
Attorneys general of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont (not individually named)
Sources: The Guardian
