The Trump administration secured an agreement with energy company TotalEnergies to redirect nearly $1 billion from wind projects and instead invest in oil and natural gas. TotalEnergies will invest $928 million on the development of Train 1 to 4 of Rio Grande LNG plant in Texas and the development of the upstream conventional oil in the Gulf of America and shale gas production.
“This agreement is yet another win for President Trump’s commitment to affordable and reliable energy for all Americans,” said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “Offshore wind is one of the most expensive, unreliable, environmentally disruptive, and subsidy-dependent schemes ever forced on American ratepayers and taxpayers. We welcome TotalEnergies’ commitment to developing projects that produce dependable, affordable power to lower Americans’ monthly bills while providing secure U.S. baseload power today—and in the future.”
“Today’s agreement prioritizes affordability for hardworking American consumers over the prior administration’s ideological, ineffective energy policies,” Attorney General Pam Bondi stated. “Americans will benefit from this significant investment in our energy industry, which will also enhance our national security and grid reliability.”
In December, the Trump administration paused the creation of offshore wind projects after the Pentagon said the turbines could affect radar systems used by the military. Paused projects include Vineyard Wind 1, Revolution Wind, CVOW – Commercial, Sunrise Wind, and Empire Wind 1. Offshore wind projects pose national security risks, government reports suggest. The turbine blades and reflecting towers interfere with radar systems, creating what is called “clutter.” The clutter created by the wind projects blocks legitimate moving targets, instead creating false targets.
