By Valerie Volcovici
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Senate Democrats on Friday asked newly-confirmed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to explain why the agency froze federal funds that were already obligated to grantees, saying the agency has violated federal laws.
Democrats on the Senate Environment and Public Works committee asked Zeldin why the agency has “clawed back” funds that were already committed after hearing from their constituents about being unable to access funds for solar energy and other projects already under way.
Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox
See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories.
“Federal law and regulations require that obligated funds be provided to grantees absent proof of misuse of funds,” wrote the senators, including Rhode Island Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and Maryland Senator Angela Alsobrooks.
Republican President Donald Trump’s administration has prioritized unleashing U.S. fossil fuel production. During its first two weeks in office, the new administration threw the clean energy industry into a state of confusion after pausing certain funding for clean energy mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – two laws signed by his Democratic predecessor former President Joe Biden.
The administration had also ordered a freeze on hundreds of billions of dollars in federal grants on Wednesday in the face of legal setbacks and widespread opposition but appeared to abandon the proposed freeze by Wednesday after public outcry.
An EPA spokesperson told Reuters that the agency “has paused all funding actions related to the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act at this time” despite the White House backtracking on its freeze.
“The agency is continuing to work diligently to implement President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order issued on January 20 in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget,” the spokesperson said, adding that the agency is reviewing the senators’ letter “and will respond through appropriate channels.”
The senators asked for the agency to send them a legal justification for blocking access to the $7 billion Solar for All program, which has 60 grant recipients that will build out low-income solar programs, as well as other climate-related programs.
(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
