President Donald Trump’s administration has canceled grants for two clean energy projects and put nearly 300 others in jeopardy as it prioritizes fossil fuels over renewable energy sources. The Department of Energy announced the cancellations, citing that the awards do not meet the administration’s objectives.
The department’s decision affects two nonprofit clean energy think tanks, RMI in Colorado, which received funding for retrofitting low-income multifamily buildings and assessing electric vehicle car-sharing models. The organization had anticipated the cancellation but plans to complete the retrofitting work using a grant announced during Trump’s first term.
The Department of Energy claims that terminating the grants is in the best interest of the American people. However, critics argue that the decision will increase energy costs for families and businesses. U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) expressed concern that the administration is working against duly-enacted spending laws and called for cooperation to lower energy costs and create jobs.
The move follows a trend of reducing funding for clean energy projects under the Biden administration’s $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure law. Separately, the Environmental Protection Agency has terminated grant agreements worth $20 billion issued by the Biden administration under its green bank program.
Despite these setbacks, installation of renewable energy worldwide hit a record high last year, with 92.5% of new electricity coming from clean sources. China led the way, with nearly 64% of new renewable electricity capacity installed there.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/trump-energy-department-clean-energy-wind-solar-batteries-hydrogen-fossil-fuels-cf1dff9ee771c566765e9ca3e3599d91