RALEIGH, N.C. — Duke Energy accepted $129 million in taxpayer money to buyout an offshore wind lease, making it the latest company to accept such an offer from Trump’s Department of the Interior. Northeast states and California have filed lawsuits in recent weeks against the federal government for similar agreements. These are the latest Trump attacks on offshore wind after repeatedly losing in court, going zero for five in federal court after trying to halt offshore wind projects that were under construction. Statement from Chris Herndon, Chapter Director of the N.C. Sierra Club Chapter: “Duke Energy and Donald Trump are worsening the energy affordability crisis that’s plaguing North Carolina families and small businesses throughout the state. It’s a disgrace that Duke Energy would walk away from an affordable, reliable offshore wind project that our state was counting on to create family-sustaining wages for workers and fixed-price clean electricity to power our state’s economy. We urge Attorney General Jeff Jackson to review the legality of this ‘deal,’ and consider joining other states in challenging the Trump administration in court.” About the Sierra Club The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person’s right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.