California Energy Commission Subpoenas Golden State Wind on Offshore Lease Termination

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.

In deals announced last week, Golden State Wind and Bluepoint Wind agreed to end their leases in exchange for reimbursements totaling nearly $900 million, provided they invest equally in fossil fuels. Bluepoint Wind was an offshore wind project in the early stages of development off the coasts of New Jersey and New York. S.

Reps. Jared Huffman of California, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, and Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, are demanding information about the TotalEnergies agreement. Separately, on Friday, President Donald Trump announced that he would raise tariffs on European-made cars to 25 percent.

The 25 percent tariffs on European-made cars are authorized by Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, and the tariffs are not affected by the Supreme Court's ruling in February that limited some of the president's power to impose tariffs unilaterally. The higher tariffs could cost automakers $4 billion this year.

Not complying with the fully agreed to Trade Deal. , while most American imports to Europe would be exempt from tariffs. U. is still in the process of ratifying the trade deal, even though it cleared the main legislative hurdle in March, and the Trump administration has not asked Congress to approve the trade deal.