Wind turbines in a grass field during sunset.

Trump administration stalls $20B in clean energy funding as legal battles mount, imperiling projects nationwide

A growing legal and political fight over $20 billion in frozen climate grants has stalled clean energy and housing projects across the U.S., leaving nonprofits and developers scrambling to salvage work aimed at reducing energy costs.

Zack Colman reports for POLITICO.

In short:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under President Trump is trying to halt $20 billion in climate grants awarded during the Biden administration, citing unsupported allegations of fraud and mismanagement.
A federal judge rejected EPA’s bid to cancel the grants, but the money remains frozen, forcing organizations to delay or abandon clean energy, efficiency, and housing initiatives.
The uncertainty has scared off private capital, weakened nonprofit coalitions, and could slow or kill projects intended to benefit low- and middle-income communities.

Key quote:

“It’s actually really scary. A lot of developers could go belly-up over the situation.”

— Megan Lasch, president of Texas affordable housing developer O-SDA Industries

Why this matters:

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a $20 billion initiative created under the Inflation Reduction Act, was billed as a cornerstone of the Biden administration’s climate strategy — one aimed at bringing clean energy investment to communities that have long been left behind. By offering low-cost financing for solar panels, heat pumps, and efficient housing in disadvantaged areas, the program was meant to unlock private capital for projects that reduce both emissions and utility bills. But with the fund now stalled under the new administration, many of those plans are in limbo, and the wait is hitting smaller towns and lower-income neighborhoods hardest.

Projects that were teed up with months of planning are now on hold, leaving community developers, local governments, and climate-focused nonprofits scrambling. Critics warn that the disruption could widen the gulf in clean energy access between wealthy and struggling areas, while also undermining national climate targets.

www.politico.com

Trump administration stalls $20B in clean energy funding as legal battles mount, imperiling projects nationwide

Major climate change reports vanish from US federal websites, raising transparency concerns

UN official calls for criminal penalties for fossil fuel disinformation and lobbying bans

EPA staffer’s offhand remark on climate funds fuels political firestorm after secret video sting

Coal use drives sharp rise in U.S. power plant emissions amid summer heat

Cities are quietly outpacing nations in climate progress

California residents challenge methane policy they say pollutes under the guise of clean energy

New Mexico groups take oil pollution case to state Supreme Court

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.