politics
California Energy Commission Subpoenas Golden State Wind
California regulators subpoenaed Golden State Wind for details on its agreement with the Trump administration to abandon an offshore wind lease for a payout. The move comes amid broader scrutiny of nearly $2 billion in federal deals to end wind projects. Separately, President Trump raised tariffs on European cars to 25 percent, citing EU non-compliance with a recent trade deal.
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The California Energy Commission issued an administrative subpoena to Golden State Wind on Monday, seeking documents and information about the company's recent agreement with the Department of Interior to accept a payout in exchange for voluntarily abandoning its offshore wind lease.
He added: “Californians deserve immediate answers about the nature of this payout. California is investigating the deal by the Trump administration to end the offshore wind project, with the state having invested about $100 million to support offshore wind development.
A letter from California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office to Golden State Wind states the state anticipates potential litigation involving the federal government and parties to lease buyouts impacting California’s energy needs and offshore wind programs.
Golden State Wind was a floating offshore wind project proposed off California’s central coast. Ocean Winds, which co-owns Golden State Wind along with Bluepoint Wind as a joint venture of EDP Renewables and French energy giant Engie, said on Monday it does not comment on open or potential litigation when asked about the subpoena.
U.S. offshore wind projects. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said companies were sold a product that was only viable when propped up by massive taxpayer subsidies when they bid for these offshore wind leases in 2022, under former President Joe Biden.
The Republican administration adopted a strategy to pay companies to abandon offshore wind leases after federal courts thwarted President Donald Trump’s efforts to stop offshore wind development through executive action. Three agreements to end offshore wind leases have been announced by the Trump administration.
