EPA chief Lee Zeldin defends freezing $20B in climate grants, citing alleged conflicts

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Monday defended his decision to halt $20 billion in climate funding, accusing media and courts of ignoring evidence of misconduct among grant recipients.

Jean Chemnick reports for E&E News.

In short:

Lee Zeldin accused nonprofit climate grantees of conflicts of interest, mismanagement, and being unqualified, and has moved to cancel their awards despite federal judges finding insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.
A D.C. federal judge ordered EPA and Citibank to temporarily release some frozen funds to the nonprofits, citing a lack of "adequate evidence" from the agency, but that order was quickly stayed pending appeal.
Six of the eight impacted nonprofits are suing the EPA, and a decision on whether they can access funds for ongoing work is expected soon from the appellate court.

Key quote:

“Agencies do not have unlimited authority to further a president’s agenda.”

— Judge Mary McElroy, U.S. District Court for Rhode Island

Why this matters:

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund was created to support renewable energy and climate resilience projects, especially in underserved communities. Halting nearly $20 billion in grants delays critical efforts to transition to clean energy, improve public health, and reduce emissions. At stake are programs that provide low-cost financing for zero-emissions buildings and transportation — initiatives that could help shield communities from rising energy costs and climate impacts. The legal battles also expose how changes in federal leadership can disrupt multibillion-dollar programs, undermining the stability and continuity needed for long-term climate planning. With courts now weighing whether the EPA acted within its authority or overstepped, the outcome will shape how environmental policy is implemented and challenged in future administrations.

For more: Trump EPA’s fraud claims stall in court as green bank funding freeze drags on

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Climate change is accelerating health threats worldwide

The Lancet Countdown - established in 2016 to annually assess the effects of climate change on health - released a ten year report and accompanying editorial.

In short:

For the first time, the report quantifies heat-related deaths attributable to climate change, estimated at about 370,000 a year. The past 11 years have been the hottest ever recorded.
The report examined 54 indicators of climate change-driven health impacts and found that many health threats had increased or accelerated over the past decade.
Populations least responsible for climate change are experiencing the highest impacts.

Key quote:

“Over the past 10 years, a strong evidence-based case has been made that responding to climate change could be the greatest health opportunity of the 21st century.”

Why this matters:

The report points out how fossil fuel interests are blocking progress on climate change. It tracks not only heat-related deaths, as mentioned above, but also other climate related effects on health caused by floods, landslides, droughts, viruses, and more. It also tracks improvements, for example, estimating that the transition to clean energy prevented 400,000 deaths in 2023 just through improved indoor air quality. Health professionals are trusted sources of information and can speak for policy change and action for a healthier future.

Related EHN coverage:

More resources: The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change

Source:

Romanello, Marina et al. (2026), The 2026 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: a decade of escalating health harms and a decisive moment for all. The Lancet.

Related editorial, Climate change and health: 10 years on, what next? The Lancet.

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