The United States government has spent almost $4 billion to cancel big offshore wind energy projects. This happened after a $1.2 billion deal with RWE, a German energy company, to stop building wind farms off the coasts of California, Louisiana, and New York. This decision is a major change in U.S. energy policy.

The main reason for this action is the government’s new focus on using natural gas instead of wind power. As part of the settlement, RWE will use most of the money to support fossil fuel projects, such as buying a share in a liquid natural gas terminal in Louisiana.

Because of this decision, the United States has stopped 12 offshore wind projects. This has caused criticism from seven states, who say the change makes it harder to meet their clean energy goals. RWE will continue working on wind power in Europe.