An internal watchdog within the U.S. Department of Energy is set to investigate the termination of $7.6 billion in clean energy grants that were slated for projects across 16 states, all of which notably supported Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
This investigation is particularly welcomed by Democrats, who argue that the cuts are part of a broader attack by former President Donald Trump on climate initiatives and clean energy funding. They contend that these funding cuts not only jeopardize projects that are essential for enhancing the electric grid but also threaten thousands of jobs in manufacturing and construction, while potentially escalating energy costs for American families.
Sarah Nelson, the assistant inspector general for the Energy Department’s Office of Inspector General, informed members of Congress about the audit, which aims to encompass a review of whether the cancellations adhered to existing laws and criteria.
“This work will help ensure that these activities are conducted consistently with applicable laws, regulations, and Departmental policies and procedures,” Nelson stated in her communication.
The Department of Energy has yet to comment on this investigation.
In October, the Energy Department announced that a total of 321 funding awards across 223 projects were canceled, claiming they did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs, were not economically viable, and would not yield a positive return on investment for taxpayers' money.
The cuts affected various states, including California, Colorado, and New York, all of which had shown substantial support for the Harris campaign. Democratic lawmakers from California, led by Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, previously wrote to the acting inspector general requesting a formal investigation into the funding terminations, framing them as politically motivated actions that could constitute unlawful bias.
Critics suggest that these cuts not only undermine bipartisan agreements reflected in the infrastructure law passed during President Biden's administration but also raise concerns about the ability of these states to advance sustainable energy solutions.
Schiff articulated his satisfaction upon seeing an investigation take place, labeling the funding cuts as blatant political targeting aimed to penalize blue states.
Among the most significant cuts was over $1 billion allocated for a hydrogen hub project in California, representing a substantial blow to the state's clean energy ambitions.
