Federal watchdog will investigate Energy Department over selective blue state grant cancellations

This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.

An independent federal office is launching an investigation into the U.S.Department of Energy after it canceled $8 billion in funding for clean energy projects in California and other Democratic-leaning states.The Energy Department Office of the Inspector General agreed to audit the agency after nearly 30 California lawmakers wrote a letter raising concerns about the termination of funding, which they described as unlawful because it was targeted at blue states “for their perceived lack of support for president Trump.” The cancellation, in October, included more than 300 awards in 16 states that did not vote for Trump in the 2024 presidential election.

Among them were 79 canceled grants for California — more than any other state on the list — totaling $2.1 billion, as well as $1.2 billion in future funding expected for the state’s hydrogen hub, the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems, or ARCHES.Responding to the lawmakers’ letter Monday, Inspector General Sarah B.

Nelson said it “highlights important issues regarding the Department’s administration of financial assistance.” “In response to your letter, the Office of Inspector General recently announced an audit which will review the Department of Energy’s processes when cancelling financial assistance and whether those cancellations were in accordance with established criteria,” Nelson wrote.“This work will help ensure that these activities are conducted consistently with applicable laws, regulations, and Departmental policies and procedures.” Climate & Environment Russ Vought, director of the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, and a top Trump administration official, said the U.S.

Department of Energy will cut funding for energy projects in 16 Democratic states.News of the funding cuts first broke in a post on X from Russell Vought, director of the White House’s...