Trump administration admits canceling clean energy grants to Democratic states
📰 source: theguardian_business · 💼 business
the trump administration admitted canceling more than $7.5bn in clean energy grants based solely on whether states backed donald trump in the 2024 election, according to court documents filed last week. the energy department accepted that the termination of 284 grants was based on the political identity of the recipient's state — blue states that voted for kamala harris — not on programmatic or performance factors. the white house budget office, led by russell vought, announced the cancellations in october, calling it 'green new scam funding.' the energy department initially framed the move as safeguarding taxpayer dollars but now concedes the political motive. the admission comes from a lawsuit by university of california researchers challenging the halted funding. the administration is also seeking to tighten control over federal grants, with a proposed rule requiring that awards advance the president's policy priorities and avoid promoting 'anti-american values.'
why it matters: reveals politicization of federal grant process, raising concerns about rule of law and future of clean energy investment.
source: theguardian_business
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