Defending Clean Energy Future. James is protecting New York's transition to renewable energy and the thousands of union jobs that come with offshore wind development.
46D AGOSTATENY ATTORNEY GENERAL LETITIA JAMESENVIRONMENT
AG James Sues Trump Over Canceling Billion-Dollar Wind Energy Project
What's the gist?
New York Attorney General Letitia James leads seven states suing the Trump administration over a $1 billion deal paying French company TotalEnergies to cancel offshore wind projects and invest in oil and gas instead.
Context
TotalEnergies purchased offshore wind leases New York and North Carolina in 2022 for $928 million, as both moved to produce more clean energy. After courts blocked Trump's executive orders halting wind energy development, the administration negotiated this refund deal in March 2026. Under the terms of the deal, TotalEnegies will shift their $1 billion investment to oil and gas production with a reimbursement from the federal government.
Positive takes
Fighting Illegal Government Deals. The lawsuit challenges what attorneys general call an unlawful agreement that violated federal procedures for canceling energy leases.
Standing Up for Taxpayers. James argues the administration improperly used taxpayer money to pay a foreign company to abandon clean energy projects.
Negative takes
Politicizing Energy Policy. Critics see this as James using her office to wage partisan battles against Trump's energy agenda rather than focusing on state-specific legal issues.
Ignoring Economic Reality. The Trump administration argues these wind projects were only viable with massive subsidies and the deal simply refunded failed investments.
Overreaching State Authority. Some question whether state attorneys general should be challenging federal energy policy decisions made by the Interior Department.
— by VoiceWhat's Voice? Read this.
News sources
- 01Attorney General Tisch James sues over Trump deal paying French firm to cancel offshore wind project
Gothamist Staff · Gothamist · June 3, 2026
- 02
Associated Press · CT Mirror · June 2, 2026
- 03
Kelsey Tamborrino · E&E News by POLITICO · June 2, 2026
- 04
The New York Times Staff · The New York Times · June 2, 2026
- 05
Dharna Noor · The Guardian · June 2, 2026
Social takes
- 01
@newyorkstateag.bsky.social · Bluesky · Positive take
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