The Trump admin is contemplating nearly $1B in settlements to thwart two offshore wind projects. (NYT)
The administration is 0-for-5 in its attempts to halt wind farms already under construction. Now, they’re pursuing a new play in the offshore wind crackdown: targeting projects that haven’t even broken ground.
The details: The Interior Department would scrap TotalEnergies’ federal leases for Attentive Energy (off NY) and Carolina Long Bay (off NC). In exchange, DOJ would offer the company $928M+ for its lease bids. Another piece of the deal: TotalEnergies would invest in Texas natural gas infrastructure.Â
And if TotalEnergies refuses? The admin plans to cancel the leases anyway, per documents reviewed by NYT—risking a potentially pricey legal fight neither side seems to want.