New York and California have filed legal challenges to federal agreements that would buy back leases for planned offshore wind projects, setting up a new court fight over the future of wind energy along both US coasts.
New York Attorney General Letitia James and California Attorney General Rob Bonta argue that the Trump administration’s agreements would bring proposed clean energy developments to an end. The disputed deals involve projects associated with Bluepoint Wind and Invenergy. Other states have joined New York’s challenge.
The agreements include roughly $1.4 billion in payments to energy companies. The states contend that ending the projects would undermine their clean energy plans and make it harder to meet growing electricity demand. Those are claims in the lawsuits; the courts have yet to rule on whether the federal agreements are lawful.
The cases add to a broader dispute between the administration and states seeking to expand offshore wind power. Their immediate aim is to block the lease buyback agreements while the legal challenges proceed.
