EPA cancels $20 billion in climate grants amid legal battle

The Environmental Protection Agency has revoked $20 billion in climate grants issued under the Inflation Reduction Act, escalating a legal fight over the program’s future and the president's authority to withhold funds appropriated by Congress.

Alex Guillén and Zack Colman report for POLITICO.

In short:

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin cited concerns about oversight, fraud, and misalignment with agency priorities as reasons for terminating the grants, though no specific cases of fraud were identified.
The decision affects multiple recipients, including Climate United Fund, which has sued to access funds held in a Citibank account that the Trump administration froze.
Democratic lawmakers argue the move is politically motivated and undermines a congressionally authorized program meant to finance clean energy and housing projects.

Key quote:

“Zeldin and Trump are spreading lies in a last-ditch effort to terminate the climate bank because the truth is it will help households save money and deploy clean energy — exactly what Big Oil is afraid of."

— Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts

Why this matters:

The funding cuts in question could have sweeping consequences for climate and clean energy initiatives, particularly those aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions and assisting economically disadvantaged communities. Many of these projects, established under the Biden administration, rely on federal grants to support renewable energy development, efficiency upgrades, and pollution reduction efforts.

Beyond the immediate impact on climate programs, the outcome of this legal fight could set a precedent for how future administrations manage federal funds, raising critical questions about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. For communities and industries that depend on these grants, the uncertainty adds yet another layer of complexity to an already shifting policy landscape.

www.politico.com

EPA cancels $20 billion in climate grants amid legal battle

Opinion: Plant-based diets can deliver climate and health benefits at the same time

The ‘lionesses’ who sued to get air conditioning in every Texas prison — and won

Meet the Michigan climate candidate on Trump’s radar

China keeps its overseas coal promise, but the demand continues

Trump administration plans to gut clean car rules

British farmers saw ‘disappointing’ harvest and lower crop yields after hottest summer on record

How Trump is unintentionally helping the world’s climate

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.