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April 7 (Reuters) – House Democrats questioned the legality of the Trump administration’s deal to return nearly $1 billion to TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) to stop the development of two U.S. offshore wind farms, according to letters sent to administration officials and the French energy company.
- U.S. Representatives Jared Huffman and Jamie Raskin, both Democrats, sent a letter on Monday to Interior Department and Department of Justice leadership alleging the agreement with TotalEnergies was against the law.
- The letter seeks an explanation of the statutory authority for the reimbursement and questions the source of the funding.
- “If DOI is funding this deal without a valid appropriation or settlement authority every dollar it spends is unlawful,” the lawmakers wrote.
- A second letter to TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne requests a briefing with the company and asks for documents and communications related to the reimbursement.
- Both letters requested responses by April 20.
- Interior Department, DOJ and TotalEnergies officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Reporting by Nichola Groom Editing by Rod Nickel
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