American politician, U.S. Representative (CA-2) since 2013
A wave of government actions has seen offshore wind leases bought out and reallocated to fossil-fuel projects, with about $2B in reimbursements promised to developers who abandon wind plans. This follows court rulings that have blocked or rolled back some Trump-era restrictions, while some projects in California and New Jersey move forward under renewed scrutiny.
TotalEnergies has agreed to withdraw offshore wind leases off New York/North Carolina and invest $1 billion in fossil fuels, a move the Trump administration has been paying to terminate wind projects. Seven states, led by New York, are challenging the deal as unlawful and harmful to jobs and clean energy.
The National Science Foundation has halted plans to remove or descale the Ocean Observatories Initiative, after lawmakers and scientists warned of risks to climate data, weather forecasts and coastal safety. An expert panel will assess future needs while equipment already removed will be redeployed. The move follows bipartisan pressure and a Senate bill to block decommissioning.