Trump administration will pay to scrap California offshore wind lease

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: USA Today

June 18, 2026, 1:17 p.m. ET


June 17 (Reuters) - The Trump administration on Wednesday said it would pay $765 million to power project developer Invenergy to terminate four wind leases off the coasts of New York, California and Maine. The Department of the Interior said in a statement that Invenergy will use those funds to develop natural gas power plants in five Midwestern states and geothermal projects in the Western United States.

The deal is the latest of several the administration has announced this year as part of a ​wide-ranging effort to stop development of U.S. offshore wind projects, which it regards as costly and inefficient. President Donald Trump's administration has sought to increase domestic fossil fuel production and scrapped policies that support clean energy development, which has been criticized by Democrats and industry advocates.

"We applaud Invenergy for recognizing the importance of baseload power and investing in energy solutions that deliver real benefits to American consumers," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.
More: Trump signs executive order pausing wind turbine leases

Seven U.S. states sued the administration earlier this month over a nearly $800 million payment to France's TotalEnergies TTEF.PA to cancel an offshore wind lease off the coast of New York. The states alleged ​the administration failed to follow proper administrative processes and misused a government fund reserved for legal settlements even ​though there was no litigation between the parties.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/california/2026/06/18/california-offshore-wind-lease-to-be-scrapped-as-part-of-765m-deal/90608150007/

---

RELATED - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143680669

[Deuxcents]

1. Ridiculous. This administration is ignorantly destroying the country

And causing consumers to pay more for utilities

[surfered]

2. They're a menace. I guess we should propose a wind farm near Mar-a-Lago

And cash in

[jls4561]

3. Better yet, a coal powered data center right next to the Kushner's house.

[C Moon]

4. They should build a wind farm near his ass:

That’s a well-documented source of wind.

[dweller]

5. That's called

A bribe




✌🏻

[groundloop]

6. It's not the "tRump Administration" paying for this idiocy, it's taxpayers.

Our money is being used against our own best interests to allow the fossil fuel industry to continue ruining the earth.

[Bayard]

7. Exactly!

I really resent our money being used for nefarious payoffs, and his vanity projects. Especially when those funds are desperately needed elsewhere.
He sees taxpayer money as his personal piggy bank to use however he wants.

[Farmer-Rick]

8. Just another reason why capitalism is failing

The filthy-rich, who own the current technology, pay off idiots and politicians to prevent the introduction of innovative new technology.

The oil barons have the wealth and power and they are doing everything they can to prevent the advancement of new technology. A stagnant and antiquated capitalist economic system has got to go.

[Seinan Sensei]

9. Make it make sense

Paying to stop clean and renewable?
Follow the money, I reckon