Senate Democrats question EPA's blocking of federal grants committed

Senate Democrats asked the newly confirmed Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin on Friday to explain why his agency frozen federal funds already committed to grantees. They claimed the agency had violated federal law.

Democrats in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee asked Zeldin to explain why the agency had "clawed-back" funds already committed, after hearing complaints from constituents that they were unable access funds for projects such as solar energy and others already underway.

The senators wrote that federal law and regulations required that funds be given to grantees in the absence of proof of misuse. They included Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, as well as Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks.

The Republican administration of Donald Trump has made it a priority to unleash U.S. coal production. The new administration has caused confusion in the clean energy industry during its first two weeks of office after it halted certain funding mandated by two laws signed by former president Joe Biden, his Democratic predecessor.

In the face of widespread opposition and legal setbacks, the administration also ordered the freezing of federal grants worth hundreds of billions in dollars on Wednesday. However, the proposal was abandoned by the end of the day after public protest.

A spokesperson for the EPA said that the agency has "paused all funding action related to the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act" at this time, despite the White House's backtracking.

The spokesperson stated that "the agency continues to work diligently in order to implement President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order, issued on January 20, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget." She added that the agency was reviewing the letter of the senators "and will reply through appropriate channels."

The senators requested that the agency send them a written legal justification for its decision to block access to the Solar for All Program, which is worth $7 billion and has 60 grantees who will develop low-income solar program as well as climate-related programs. (Reporting and editing by Aurora Ellis; Valerie Volcovici)

(source: Reuters)