In brief
An internal watchdog at the Department of Energy will investigate the Trump administration's decision to cancel $7.6 billion in clean energy grants tied to 223 projects across 16 states. Democrats criticized the cuts, claiming they threaten jobs and increase energy costs, arguing that the decisions appear politically motivated, targeting states that backed Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. The audit is set to determine if the cancellations complied with legal standards. Senator Adam Schiff expressed satisfaction at the launch of the investigation, highlighting concerns over partisan bias.
An internal watchdog in the U.S. Department of Energy will investigate the Trump administration’s termination of $7.6 billion in grants for hundreds of clean energy projects across 16 states that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. The move is especially welcome for Democrats who said that the cuts — part of broader attacks from President Donald Trump on climate programs and clean energy funding — would slash projects boosting the electric grid, threaten thousands of manufacturing and construction jobs, and send Americans’ energy costs soaring. Sarah Nelson, assistant inspector general for the Energy Department’s Office of Inspector General, confirmed this audit, aimed at reviewing the legality of the fund cancellations. The Department of Energy had previously stated that the terminated awards did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs. Democratic leaders argue that the funding cut directly impacts states heavily supporting Harris, raising significant concerns over political bias.
