Trump admin pays $1.2B to cancel offshore wind projects, citing 'common sense'

Published Aug 7, 04:10 PM UTC

The Trump administration has paid German energy company RWE $1.2 billion to cancel three early-stage offshore wind projects in New York, Louisiana, and California. RWE will invest the same amount in natural gas projects. The administration, through Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, framed the deal as 'common sense' energy policy, but RWE stated there was 'no path forward to permit these projects in the U.S. for the foreseeable future.' This is the fifth such agreement, following a similar $1 billion deal with TotalEnergies in March. Additionally, the Pentagon has halted approvals for 106 inland wind projects since April, citing national security, though a federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction requiring reviews to resume. The article notes Trump's long-standing opposition to offshore wind and compares his tactics to Biden's approach to fossil fuels.