Trump officials are crafting a sweeping plan to block offshore wind development by canceling leases for two major projects and paying developers $928 million, per New York Times documents. The strategy targets TotalEnergies’ Attentive Energy (New York) and Carolina Long Bay (North Carolina) wind farms, which would power 1.3 million homes if completed. In exchange for abandoning construction, the company would receive funds to invest in Texas gas infrastructure, aligning with Trump’s fossil fuel prioritization. This marks a dramatic shift after five failed legal attempts to halt East Coast wind farms, including rulings rejecting national security claims tied to classified reports.

The move unfolds amid Trump’s declared national energy emergency, citing soaring oil prices from Middle East tensions. While Attentive Energy’s developer, TotalEnergies, paused work post-election, the administration now demands permanent lease surrender—a stark contrast to the company’s prior four-year lease hold. Carolina Long Bay, set to power 300,000 homes, faces a similar fate with a $133 million buyout. Critics argue the plan undermines renewable progress, as Vineyard Wind and Revolution Wind recently achieved grid connections, signaling industry momentum despite administration opposition.

Legal experts note the $928 million reimbursement is unprecedented, as it compensates developers for winning leases under Biden policies. If TotalEnergies rejects the offer, the Interior Department will revoke leases anyway, risking prolonged litigation. The proposal highlights Trump’s broader campaign against renewables, including halting five other wind projects. With Revolution Wind already operational and Vineyard Wind nearing completion, the administration’s efforts face mounting resistance from states and courts.

This $1 billion intervention underscores the political clash over energy transitions. By leveraging financial incentives to kill wind projects, Trump’s team aims to redirect investment toward fossil fuels, despite bipartisan support for clean energy. The outcome could reshape U.S. offshore wind expansion, which has seen $100 billion in private investments since 2021. For TotalEnergies, the choice lies between accepting the deal or risking costly legal battles—a test of Trump’s ability to reshape energy policy through executive action.