California sues federal government and wind developer over offshore lease buyout

Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Energy Commission have taken legal action against the U.S. Department of the Interior and developer Golden State Wind, asserting that a $120 million payment to abandon a Morro Bay offshore wind lease violates federal law. The administration’s offer, made in April, would redirect the developer toward oil and gas drilling on the Gulf Coast, contradicting California’s goal of generating 25 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2045.

State officials contend the deal breaches the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which grants California a voice in offshore leasing decisions, and squanders over $100 million already invested in ports and transmission for wind projects. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California after the energy commission issued a subpoena to the developer. Similar buyout agreements have been announced for other offshore wind sites along the California coast. Golden State Wind and the Interior Department have not yet responded to comment requests.