California sues Trump administration, developer over deal to walk away from Morro Bay wind power

Key Points:

• California has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that a $120 million buyout deal with Golden State Wind to abandon offshore wind leases in favor of oil and gas development violates federal law and constitutes an illegal payout.
• The state argues the deal breaches the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act by excluding California's input on offshore leasing and improperly uses federal funds intended for lawsuit settlements.
• The Trump administration has paid nearly $4 billion to cancel at least a dozen offshore wind leases nationwide, with companies agreeing to invest in fossil fuel projects instead, undermining California’s goal of 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045.
• California officials and environmental groups criticize the buyouts for wasting taxpayer money and jeopardizing over 170,000 potential clean energy jobs, while the state has already invested more than $100 million in infrastructure to support offshore wind.
• Similar lawsuits and subpoenas have been filed by California and a coalition of states against other offshore wind lease cancellations, highlighting ongoing legal battles over the federal government's shift from renewable energy to fossil fuels.