Trump’s decision to throw away $1 billion in taxpayer money will raise costs, increase pollution

Washington D.C.- In response to the Trump administration paying French energy company TotalEnergies $1 billion of taxpayer money to abandon two offshore wind projects on the east coast, and instead invest in a methane gas facility in Texas, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and New York League of Conservation Voters released the following statements:

“This unprecedented deal is a lose-lose-lose for the American people,” said Sara Chieffo, SVP of Government Affairs at LCV. “The Trump administration is taking $1 billion of our taxpayer money to stop affordable clean energy from coming online and to expand dirty, expensive, and volatile fossil fuels. We should be investing in homegrown, unlimited, renewable energy that helps insulate working families from price spikes. Instead, the Trump administration is lining the pockets of fossil fuel billionaires, and driving even more toxic pollution into frontline communities.” 

“This is a reckless, short-sighted blow to America’s affordable clean energy future, ” said New York LCV President Julie Tighe. “Canceling offshore wind leases while reimbursing a fossil fuel giant with nearly $1 billion in taxpayer dollars is the exact opposite of smart energy policy.

“Offshore wind is critical to powering New York’s electrical grid, and cancelling these projects will do nothing to reduce rising demand nor ease the strain families are feeling from sky-high utility bills. Instead, the results will force New Yorkers to contend with dirtier air and the roller coaster ride of fossil fuel costs. Critically, this action also sends a chilling message to investors and threatens the long-term stability of our energy markets. While the federal government retreats, New York must stay the course and continue advancing the clean energy projects our grid and economy depend on,” continued Tighe.

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