Beginning in March 2026, the Administration initiated the first in what has become a series of offshore wind lease buyouts. The agreements came after the Administration had halted new or renewed federal wind approvals and begun examining whether existing offshore wind leases could be terminated or amended, putting developers in the position of negotiating with an administration actively working to unwind the federal offshore wind program.

As of September 2026, the Department of the Interior (DOI) has agreed to pay energy companies up to $3.9 billion to cancel 12 leases they previously obtained at competitive auctions, on the condition that they make equivalent investments in conventional energy projects instead. These buyouts carry significant implications for American taxpayers and consumers, and there could be more to come.