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2h ago

Judge Strikes Down Targeted DOE Grant Cancellations, Orders Reinstatement of Seven Awards

The ruling finds politically motivated disparate treatment of blue-state recipients under equal protection.

FILE - Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought speaks to reporters at the White House, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File)
President Donald Trump listens as acting director of the Office of Management and Budget Russ Vought speaks during an event on "transparency in Federal guidance and enforcement" in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
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Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Amit P. Mehta ruled Monday that the Trump administration unlawfully rescinded selected Energy Department grants, finding no plausible rational basis for the blue-state focus.
  • The court directed the Department of Energy to reverse the seven specific terminations challenged in the lawsuit, which involved solar projects, EV charging infrastructure, and methane-emissions reduction.
  • The cancellations were announced by OMB Director Russ Vought on the first day of October’s shutdown as a cost-cutting move, with the opinion noting public statements and social media posts by Vought and Trump.
  • The decision does not address more than 200 other canceled awards totaling roughly $7.6–$8 billion, which remain under review by the department’s internal watchdog.
  • DOE said it disagrees with the ruling and maintains that its review found the terminated awards failed to meet energy or economic viability standards.