EPA cancels millions in Biden-era environmental grants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is collaborating with Elon Musk’s cost-cutting department to retract environmental grants previously issued by the Democratic administration. The EPA and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a new department under President Donald Trump focused on reducing federal spending, recently disclosed that the Biden administration allocated $77.1 million in “environmental justice” grants to 20 recipients.
As part of their efforts to eliminate government waste, DOGE announced the cancellation of $67.4 million in unspent funds, a move confirmed by the EPA to Fox News Digital. “Good work,” DOGE posted on X in response to the recent spending cut.
One of the recipients affected by the cost-cutting decision is the San Diego State University Foundation, which stood to lose $4.2 million in funding aimed at promoting “environmental justice” in tribal, indigenous, and Pacific Island communities. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina criticized the decision, labeling “Biden’s EPA” as equivalent to “Embezzling Public Assets.”
The EPA has been reclaiming millions in environmental grants authorized during the Biden administration, revealing that only eight entities were allowed to distribute $20 billion of taxpayer dollars “at their discretion.” The agency identified that $2 billion of the funds were allocated to a climate group associated with prominent Democrat Stacey Abrams in what was described as a “scheme” of “wasteful” spending.
The grant was awarded to Power Forward Communities, a nonprofit linked to Abrams, with the aim of reducing the climate impact by funding the replacement of household appliances in lower-income communities with green alternatives.
The collaboration between the EPA and DOGE underscores the current administration’s focus on cutting costs and streamlining government spending. This strategic approach aims to ensure that taxpayer dollars are utilized efficiently and effectively in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable practices.
Overall, the partnership between the EPA and DOGE represents a concerted effort to prioritize fiscal responsibility and accountability in the allocation of environmental grants. By reassessing and adjusting funding allocations, the government can better align resources with key priorities while maximizing impact in addressing pressing environmental issues.
