California’s Attorney General Rob Bonta just raised the stakes. He filed that suit against the Trump administration, challenging a harmful executive directive that halts all progress for offshore wind energy projects and their advancement throughout the United States. Joined by a coalition of 17 other state attorneys general, the lawsuit targets a directive issued in January, asserting that it contravenes several federal laws, including the Administrative Procedure Act.
The lawsuit highlights the broad impacts the federal directive will have on clean energy projects and long-term economic security. Attorney General Bonta continued that the stop to offshore wind projects would unwound the headway made to advance in renewable energy. He stated, “This reckless directive will not only reverse America’s progress in clean energy initiatives, but our communities will suffer the economic consequences of the President’s misguided lawlessness.”
Perhaps the greatest short-term impact of the moratorium is the cancellation of offshore wind developer RWE’s American projects. This decision follows policy reversals by the Trump administration. California has a total of five offshore wind leases to date. Through these investments, these projects are poised to power more than 1.6 million homes and contribute significantly to the Gulf state’s clean energy transition.
The coalition of attorneys general claims that the federal government’s inaction following the directive threatens job creation, tax revenue, and community support funds exceeding $50 million. The moratorium will increase energy costs to California consumers. This is a state that is already suffering under the burden of some of the highest energy prices in the nation.
Bonta remarked, “In California, we will continue to hold the President accountable for breaking the law and protect our significant progress in expanding cleaner, cheaper energy for American families.” A broad and deep coalition of attorneys general from states as varied as New York, Massachusetts, and Washington support the lawsuit. This support reveals a growing and bipartisan concern about the implications of the executive order.
The paused offshore wind projects were set to make a key contribution toward moving America’s clean energy economy forward. By stalling these developments, the Trump administration has raised alarms about potential repercussions on energy prices and job growth in the renewable sector.
“The Trump Administration’s directive to halt the development of offshore wind energy is illegal.” – Attorney General Bonta