GOP lawmakers seek climate funds they opposed

Republican lawmakers who criticized Biden-era climate spending are now seeking funds from the same programs to benefit their states and districts.

Kelsey Brugger reports for E&E News.


In short:

  • More than a dozen Republican lawmakers requested U.S. EPA funding for climate projects, despite previously opposing the Inflation Reduction Act that funds them.
  • Requests included grants for air quality monitors, tree planting, clean transportation and water treatment improvements.
  • The Trump administration has put a 90-day review on the funds, leaving some projects in limbo.

Key quote:

“It is happening in both Republican and Democratic areas. We need to be focused on those communities making sure they have the resources necessary to heal.”

— Mustafa Santiago Ali, National Wildlife Federation

Why this matters:

Climate change and pollution affect communities regardless of political affiliation. While lawmakers debate policy, local projects to improve air quality, water infrastructure and climate resilience remain urgent. The delay in funding could stall critical environmental justice initiatives, particularly in underserved areas. While many Republicans oppose large-scale federal climate initiatives on ideological grounds, some have quietly sought funding for projects in their own districts. This dynamic highlights the tension between national political rhetoric and local realities, where constituents — regardless of party — demand solutions to worsening environmental challenges.

Related: Trump's freeze on clean energy funds hits Republican districts hardest

Entrance sign to Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
Credit: Melissa Kopka/BigStock Photo ID: 259884463

Republicans target public lands protections in a new way

Republicans in Congress want to allow more mining and oil drilling on federal public lands, and they’ve recently turned to an obscure legislative maneuver to open areas for business.
A woman at the front of a protest holding a microphone

Women bear the brunt of climate change. Meet the green politicians determined to change that

For International Women’s Day, Euronews Green highlighted some of the female politicians spearheading the never-ending fight against climate change.

A row of trees ready to be planted

Study maps tree-planting risks and rewards for climate and biodiversity

Establishing forests can capture carbon and boost biodiversity — but some biomes are a better bet than others.

Red sky reflected in a pink-tinged ocean

Testing the waters: can pumping chemicals into the ocean help stop global heating?

To some it was a reckless experiment but scientists hope the dispersal of 65,000 litres of sodium hydroxide into the Gulf of Maine could ease the climate crisis.

A view of an iceberg from the side, showing the ice above and below the water line
Credit: Victor/Unsplash+

This iceberg was once the biggest in the world. Now it has just weeks left

A23a was once twice the size of Greater London but now its 40-year journey is coming to an end.
Hail stones on green grass

A warmer climate means bigger hail

New attribution research shows how extra heat in the atmosphere can turn thunderstorms into factories for dangerous, softball-size hail.
Pump jacks and oil spill over planet earth isolated on white background.
Photo credit: Copyright: Cico/ BigStock Photo ID: 41270464

Cancer haunts neighbors of Canada’s oil sands wastelands

Though high rates of the disease persist among the nearby Indigenous communities, the Canadian government is weighing rules that may allow energy giants to release treated mining waste into the river system.

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

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.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

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

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

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

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

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.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

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

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.