From Wind to LNG: $900M Settlement Benefits a Trump Donor’s LNG Play

The Trump administration wrapped a settlement with RWE to cancel offshore wind leases in New York, California, and Louisiana in exchange for $1.2 billion from a federal fund, with about $900 million earmarked for RWE to buy into a Louisiana LNG project via Stonepeak, the private equity firm co-founded by Trump donor Michael Dorrell. Democrats are widening probes over potential conflicts of interest, while White House officials say no department officials directed the deal choices. Critics argue the settlements waste taxpayer funds and do little to advance wind or LNG goals, instead shifting money to a donor’s business and reducing Stonepeak’s exposure.