Trump admin pays wind developers to quit, back fossil fuel projects
The Trump administration is paying offshore wind developers up to $885 million to terminate their leases, provided they reinvest comparable amounts in fossil fuel infrastructure. This follows a similar $1 billion deal with TotalEnergies and comes after legal setbacks to Trump's attempt to halt wind projects outright. The move aligns with the administration's 'Energy Dominance Agenda,' prioritizing oil, gas, and nuclear over renewables. Critics note the contradiction given fossil fuels' long-standing subsidies and renewables' lower generation costs.
- ▪The Department of the Interior is offering $765 million to Bluepoint Wind and $120 million to Golden State Wind to abandon offshore wind leases.
- ▪Companies must invest a comparable amount in qualifying fossil fuel projects before receiving taxpayer funds.
- ▪A prior $1 billion deal with TotalEnergies set a precedent for this strategy of paying firms to exit wind energy commitments.
- ▪Trump’s executive order to block new wind projects was struck down in court, prompting this alternative approach.
- ▪Despite claims of supporting affordable energy, fossil fuels receive vastly more federal subsidies than renewables globally.
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Science 9 Trump admin pays wind developers to quit, back fossil fuel projects 9 DoI offers up to $885M if they abandon offshore wind projects Dan Robinson Tue 28 Apr 2026 // 18:10 UTC As the Iran war pushes up energy prices, the Trump administration is paying offshore wind developers to walk away from projects and invest instead in fossil fuel infrastructure. The US Department of the Interior (DoI) announced on Monday two "historic" agreements under which the firms behind the Bluepoint Wind and Golden State Wind projects will voluntarily terminate their offshore wind leases. In return, the DoI will reimburse the companies with taxpayers' cash, to the tune of $765 million in the case of Bluepoint Wind, and $120 million for Golden State Wind.
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