Trump admin pays $1.22B to drop offshore wind leases, steering funds to fossil fuels

The Trump administration struck a $1.22 billion deal with German firm RWE to relinquish offshore wind leases off New York, California, and Louisiana and redirect resources toward fossil-fuel projects, including a $900 million LNG stake and a $300 million pipeline of gas peaker plants. Critics say the settlement is part of a pattern of payouts to kill renewables, wasting taxpayer money while expanding fossil fuel infrastructure, with total government spend on canceled offshore wind projects approaching $4 billion.