The Interior Dept is in the news for halting offshore wind projects and restoring the Stonewall Pride flag—managing lands, resources, and Native programs.
A U.S. federal judge rejected a legal challenge to ConocoPhillips' exploration plans in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve. The decision follows a rig collapse incident, with ongoing debates over environmental impacts and regulatory transparency amid increased oil exploration efforts.
As of late January 2026, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy has issued a preliminary injunction allowing the Vineyard Wind offshore project near Massachusetts to resume construction despite the Trump administration's halt over national security concerns. The project is 95% complete and partially operational, expected to power over 400,000 homes. Similar rulings have allowed other East Coast wind projects to continue.
The US Interior Department announced that TotalEnergies will receive nearly $928 million to cancel offshore wind leases off North Carolina and New York. The company will instead invest in US fossil fuel projects, including a liquefied natural gas plant in Texas, reflecting a shift away from renewable energy under the current administration.