EPA Chief Plans to Withdraw $20 Billion in Climate Program Funding
In a surprising turn of events, the newly appointed leader of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Lee Zeldin, has announced intentions to revoke $20 billion in grants that were distributed by the Biden administration for various climate and clean-energy initiatives. This decision has sent shockwaves through the environmental advocacy community.
Zeldin shared this announcement through a video on X, stating that the EPA will nullify contracts associated with a developing initiative commonly referred to as the “green bank.” This program is designed to finance thousands of projects aimed at combating climate change and fostering environmental justice. Officially recognized as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the green bank was established under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. It primarily consists of two substantial initiatives—one worth $14 billion and another at $6 billion—intended to provide competitive grants to nonprofits, community development banks, and other organizations, particularly those focusing on underprivileged communities.
This initiative has garnered strong support from Democrats, especially as it was passed without any Republican votes during the approval process of President Joe Biden’s signature climate law. Michael Regan, the former EPA Administrator, frequently highlighted it as one of his key achievements while in office.
On the other hand, Republican lawmakers have criticized the green bank as a potential “slush fund,” expressing worries regarding its funding allocation and the overall accountability associated with the expenditures. Last year, a bill aimed at repealing the green bank along with other components of Biden’s climate policy was approved by the Republican-led House, although it failed to advance in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
In his video, Zeldin asserted that his administration would maintain a strict stance against any form of financial waste or misconduct. He referenced “an extremely disturbing video” on X, featuring a former EPA employee who alleged that the Biden administration was recklessly distributing taxpayer dollars as if “tossing gold bars off the Titanic” before Trump’s presidency began.
Zeldin declared, “The days of irresponsibly shoveling boatloads of cash to far-left activist groups in the name of environmental justice and climate equity are over,” indicating that his team would ensure these funds are reclaimed and managed responsibly within the government’s control.
The video Zeldin mentioned was produced by Project Veritas, a right-leaning organization known for employing undercover recording to target media outlets, unions, and Democratic figures. In the footage, Brent Efron, a former special adviser at the EPA, is seen discussing the administration’s financial strategies at a social gathering; he is no longer associated with the EPA.
Advocates for clean energy have condemned Zeldin’s actions, seeing them as politically motivated rather than grounded in legality. Activists assert that this move constitutes an unlawful effort to withdraw funding that Congress had sanctioned, driven by partisan interests. Lena Moffitt, the executive director of Evergreen Action, an organization that supports the green bank, stated, “This is not just an attack on clean energy investments — it’s a blatant violation of the Constitution. The Trump team is once again trying to illegally slash programs meant to help American families to fund tax cuts for billionaires.”
The funds in question have already been allocated to eight nonprofit organizations, including the Coalition for Green Capital, Climate United Fund, and the Justice Climate Fund. These entities work in collaboration with various groups like Rewiring America and Habitat for Humanity.
The grant awards were publicly announced last year by former Vice President Kamala Harris during an event held in Charlotte, North Carolina, highlighting the ongoing significance and support for climate programs across the nation.
