The Trump administration has announced the cancellation of $7.6 billion in grants designed to support numerous clean energy projects across 16 states that voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the last presidential election. This decision coincides with President Donald Trump’s ongoing conflict with congressional Democrats regarding a potential government shutdown, during which he has proposed significant budget cuts.
According to the Department of Energy, 223 projects were terminated following a review that deemed them either economically unfeasible or not sufficiently aligned with national energy needs. Specific details regarding the projects affected were not disclosed, although the funding originated from various offices within the Department of Energy, including the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
The cuts are particularly impactful for initiatives related to battery manufacturing, hydrogen technology, electric grid upgrades, and carbon capture, as noted by the Natural Resources Defense Council. White House Budget Director Russ Vought emphasized that the funding withdraws money “to fuel the Left’s climate agenda,” listing California, Colorado, and New York among the states severely affected.
Critics, including California Governor Gavin Newsom and Senator Patty Murray, have expressed concerns that the cancellations could result in job losses and increased energy costs. The California hydrogen project, which has received $10 billion in private sector investment, faces cuts that could jeopardize more than 200,000 jobs.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright clarified that the project cancellations were based on financial assessments and not influenced by political considerations, stating that such decisions are part of a broader evaluation process that may affect both red and blue states.
Award recipients impacted by the cancellations have a 30-day window to appeal the Department of Energy’s decisions.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/04/trump-clean-energy-cuts-democrat-states