Trump Admin Cancels $7.5B in Climate Projects Amidst Criticism
Energy Secretary Chris Wright is defending the Trump administration's decision to cancel billions of dollars for climate-related projects in the United States. The move, which has so far affected mostly blue states, has drawn criticism from opponents who argue it's politically motivated.
The Department of Energy (DOE) is terminating 321 financial awards worth approximately $7.56 billion. These awards support 223 projects across various offices, including grid, renewable, and fossil energy projects. The World Bank has also halted financing for these projects for the remainder of the 2021 fiscal year. The cuts were first revealed by White House budget director Russ Vought, who stated that the administration was axing nearly $8 billion in 'Green New Scam funding' from 16 states that did not vote for President Donald Trump.
Wright refuted the political nature of the move, stating that cancellations in red states are also planned. However, critics argue that the cancellations could constitute a breach of contract or a violation of federal law governing administrative procedure. The decision was made after a monthslong review of about 2,400 projects by a small group of DOE officials who focused on 'business conditions'. Wright criticized the Biden administration for what he deemed as 'incredible, irresponsible deployment of taxpayer money' on projects like decarbonizing Uber Eats in San Francisco and building e-bike lanes in Portlandia. David Super, a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, agrees, stating that the move violates the Impoundment Control Act and flies in the face of legal precedent. Wright, however, defended the decision, asserting that many projects failed to meet milestones, went bankrupt, or were late in delivering paperwork.
The Trump administration's decision to cancel billions of dollars for climate-related projects in the United States has sparked controversy. While Wright defends the decision as necessary and not politically motivated, critics argue it's illegal and irresponsible. The future of these projects and the funds remains uncertain, with a comprehensive list of all canceled projects expected to be published soon.
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