Public Citizen accuses Trump administration of using wind project cancellations to force Constitution Pipeline

Public Citizen submitted an amended petition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, accusing the Trump administration of an exploitative scheme to force the Constitution Pipeline by canceling New York offshore wind projects. The agency reportedly paid $1.2 billion to RWE U.S. Offshore to terminate the New York Bight wind project after President Donald J. Trump announced he would withdraw support for wind farms unless the state backed the pipeline.

Tyson Slocum of Public Citizen’s Energy Program called the tactic an arbitrary, capricious quid-pro-quo that misuses taxpayer funds and endangers electric-grid adequacy. The filing updates a June challenge to Williams Companies’ request for a certificate of public convenience and necessity for the pipeline. Public Citizen urges FERC to investigate, saying inaction would breach the public interest. The organization, a consumer-advocacy nonprofit, emphasizes its role in defending democratic oversight of energy projects.