Friends of the Earth statement on RWE’s deal with Trump Administration

WASHINGTON — Friends of the Earth U.S. today issued the following statement regarding a $1.2 billion agreement by German-based utility RWE to relinquish offshore wind leases and invest in fossil fuel infrastructure. 

“Committing to reinvest over $1 billion in fossil fuels is a disastrous mistake,” said Raena Garcia, Senior Energy Campaigner at Friends of the Earth. “The Trump Administration won’t be around forever and any company that cuts a deal like this should expect accountability eventually.” 

In recent months, the Trump Administration has entered into unprecedented deals with  TotalEnergies and other energy giants to abandon their offshore wind leases. Under these deals, the federal government will pay billions of dollars for the companies to drop sustainable wind projects and instead invest in U.S. fossil fuel projects. 

In May, over 50 organizations from the United States sent a letter to RWE calling on CEO Mark Krebber to hold fast to RWE’s offshore wind leases and resist the Trump Administration’s fossil-fueled bullying. 

Media contact: Lindsay Tice, [email protected]