EPA terminates Biden admin’s green grants worth $20B, Zeldin says
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has made a bold move by terminating $20 billion in grants awarded by the Biden administration for climate and clean-energy projects. This decision was announced by Administrator Lee Zeldin in a video posted on X, where he revealed that the money was being held at an outside financial institution in an effort to limit government oversight.
Zeldin expressed his concerns about the allocation of these funds, noting that they were being distributed through just eight pass-through organizations that were politically connected and, in some cases, unqualified or brand-new NGOs. As a result, the Department of Justice and FBI have launched an investigation into the matter.
The program, which was approved by Congress under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, was designed to support climate and clean-energy projects, particularly those focusing on disadvantaged communities. Two initiatives, totaling $20 billion, were intended to provide grants to nonprofits, community development banks, and other groups.
Among the recipients of the grants were organizations such as the Coalition for Green Capital, Climate United Fund, Power Forward Communities, Opportunity Finance Network, Inclusiv, and the Justice Climate Fund. These groups had partnered with various organizations like Rewiring America, Habitat for Humanity, and the Community Preservation Corporation.
Zeldin raised concerns about the allocation of funds, citing examples such as Power Forward Communities, a group linked to Stacey Abrams, receiving $2 billion despite reporting minimal revenue the previous year. He also highlighted instances where individuals had directed funds to their former employers after working on the legislation that created the program.
In response to these issues, Zeldin announced the termination of the grants, citing concerns about program integrity, objections to the award process, programmatic fraud, waste, and abuse. He emphasized the importance of reducing waste, increasing oversight, and aligning with the agency’s priorities.
As the EPA moves forward, Zeldin reiterated his commitment to being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and ensuring that the agency upholds its obligations to the American people. By taking decisive action to terminate these grants, the EPA aims to uphold the original goals and objectives of the program.
In conclusion, the EPA’s decision to terminate $20 billion in grants for climate and clean-energy projects marks a significant step towards accountability and transparency in government spending. By addressing concerns about the allocation of funds and prioritizing program integrity, the agency is working to fulfill its mandate to serve the public interest.
