DOE Cancels Millions in Energy Grants, Sparking Bipartisan Backlash
The Department of Energy has cancelled several multi-million dollar grants for energy projects, including a $6 million grant for a rural electric cooperative. These cancellations have raised eyebrows, as they include job-creating projects in Republican party-controlled districts and have drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle.
The most significant cancellations were part of the DOE's hydrogen hub program, with projects in California and the Pacific Northwest totaling over $20 million being cancelled. This includes a $20 million award for a manufacturing facility in Texas that was set to create grid-scale batteries and jobs in a Republican party district.
Rep. Tom McClintock (R-Calif.) supported the cuts, stating that companies should make money by pleasing customers, not through government subsidies. However, Rep. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.) recently toured United Power's Mountain Peak natural gas peaking plant, a move away from coal, suggesting a shift in Republican party stance on energy projects.
The cancellations follow a trend started under the Trump administration, which terminated over $7.5 billion in energy grants in blue states, impacting more than two dozen Republican party districts. White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought justified the terminations as retribution against Democrats and to dismantle the 'Green New Scam'.
Interestingly, several Republican party leaders, including Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Joni Ernst, and Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Kevin Hern, participated in a letter campaign supporting funding for the ARCHES Hydrogen Hub program. Four California House Republicans also urged DOE not to cancel funding for the ARCHES hydrogen hub, indicating a divide within the Republican party on this issue.
The cancellations have affected at least 28 GOP lawmakers and job-creating projects in Republican party-controlled districts. While some Republicans support the cuts, others have expressed concern about the impact on jobs and economic growth. The future of these energy projects and the role of government subsidies remain uncertain.
