The Trump administration is preparing a new strategy to halt offshore wind
projects after courts blocked five previous attempts, proposing settlement
agreements that would pay nearly $1 billion to TotalEnergies, the French company
behind the Attentive Energy and Carolina Long Bay wind farms off New York and
North Carolina. Under the settlements, the Interior Department would cancel the
federal leases, the Justice Department would reimburse over $928 million for
TotalEnergies’ lease bids, and the company would abandon construction while
committing to invest in Texas natural gas infrastructure, reflecting the
administration’s focus on fossil fuels over renewables. TotalEnergies’
spokeswoman, Solange Petit de Bantel, declined comment, and Interior and Justice
Department representatives did not respond. Acceptance of the settlements is
uncertain, but lease cancellations could trigger expensive litigation if the
company refuses.