California will sue over Trump’s latest bribe to block wind power

California announced its intention to sue the Department of the Interior on March 18, 2024, over federal actions that would block the development of two offshore wind power projects off the state's central coast. Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the Biden administration's decision to halt these projects, which were part of a broader federal plan to expand renewable energy, contradicts the state's ambitious climate goals. The blocked projects were located in federal waters and were designated for lease sales in 2023. California has set a target of achieving 100% clean electricity by 2045 and views offshore wind as a critical component of meeting this objective. The state's legal challenge will focus on the Department of the Interior's alleged failure to adequately consider the environmental impacts and the state's energy needs in its decision-making process. This move signals a significant conflict between state-level climate initiatives and federal energy policy, potentially impacting future renewable energy development along the Pacific coast.