California and New York challenge Trump admin's $1.4 bn offshore wind lease buybacks

Democratic attorneys general from California and New York have sued the Trump administration over a plan to buy back offshore wind leases worth $1.4 billion. The lawsuits target the Interior Department’s June decision to repurchase four offshore wind projects owned by Chicago‑based Invenergy on both coasts. New York Attorney General Letitia James also leads a coalition of seven states that is fighting the Invenergy deal and a separate agreement with Bluepoint Wind that would end a wind farm off New York and New Jersey. James called the deals illegal, saying they will raise electricity bills by diverting money to fossil‑fuel projects instead of clean energy. "Americans are facing increasing energy costs because this administration would rather pay off energy companies than let us build the new power sources we need," she said. California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed his suit over the removal of an Invenergy project off California’s coast, arguing that the state cannot afford to fight the federal government on climate action. Bonta warned that constant court battles slow the transition to clean power and that California must stay aggressive on climate. The Interior Department began buying back leases in March after federal courts blocked Trump’s earlier attempt to halt offshore wind through an executive order. In return for lease reimbursements, companies are shifting investment toward fossil fuels and geothermal, a move Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said will keep energy reliable and lower utility costs. The administration has pledged nearly $4 billion to companies to abandon projects nationwide. State energy leaders, including California Energy Commission chair David Hochschild and New York energy research chief Doreen Harris, said the legal fight is essential to protect state‑run grid reliability and keep wind development alive.