Scientist exposes anti-wind groups as oil-funded, now they want to silence him

> given support to these fake public interest groups in attempts to sue wind projects out of existence.

Remember - that's the core issue. Development of housing or green energy projects or industries with low externalities should be by-right.

"Weaponized activists" was an instrument of non-market competition for a long while now.

It's kind of a more modern, more legal take on "send some mobsters to mess them up". You find (or make) an activist group opposing a certain development - and then covertly funnel funding and support to them so that they can do as much damage as possible and stall your competition for as long as possible.