California challenges federal push for oil and fossil fuel expansion

The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to expand fossil fuel production in California, challenging the state’s transition toward renewable energy. Federal officials have initiated a review of California’s coastal management program, a move environmental advocates fear could diminish the authority of the California Coastal Commission over coastal development.

In a related development, California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the California Energy Commission have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration and Golden State Wind LLC. The lawsuit seeks to overturn a $120 million deal in which the U.S. Department of the Interior paid Golden State Wind to abandon its offshore wind farm project near Morro Bay. Under the terms of the agreement, the company is required to invest the buyout funds into out-of-state fossil fuel projects.

While the Department of the Interior cited unspecified national security concerns for the cancellation of the wind project, state officials have characterized the deal as an unlawful attempt to favor oil and gas interests over clean energy investments.