️ French energy giant TotalEnergies is embroiled in a lawsuit between seven US states and the federal government as the Trump administration upends domestic energy policy, shutting down wind projects while pushing fossil fuels. The case raises questions about the predictability of the business environment under a president who has reversed many Biden-era renewable energy policies.

️ The case involves two offshore wind farms TotalEnergies planned in the US. The larger Attentive Energy, 54 miles south of Jones Beach, New York, would have powered a million homes. The smaller Carolina Long Bay was slated for North Carolina in the early 2030s.

️ In March, TotalEnergies agreed to abandon those plans for $928 million and invest in oil and gas instead. This week, seven northeastern states sued the administration over that arrangement, arguing New York needs additional electricity and the project would have ensured grid reliability and climate goals.

️ Between March and April, the administration reached similar deals to cancel leases for four offshore wind projects, paying developers over $2 billion. Experts call these deals unprecedented, noting no prior payments for withdrawing wind leases.

️ California's Energy Commission has subpoenaed Golden State Wind for documents related to the deal, potentially leading to litigation. The state claims over $100 million in losses for infrastructure already built.

️ The Trump administration has cut subsidies for solar and EVs, but offshore wind is particularly hard-hit. Analysts say such actions create investment uncertainty, though the US economy's AI boom offsets some headwinds. The lawsuit also questions the use of the Judgment Fund for payments without legitimate disputes.

Source: www.aljazeera.com