Overview
- The coalition filed suit in U.S. District Court for D.C., seeking to reinstate terminated awards and naming the Department of Energy, the Office of Management and Budget, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and budget director Russell Vought.
- In October the administration terminated $7.56 billion for 321 projects in 16 states, with DOE saying the grants failed to meet national energy needs or provide sufficient returns for taxpayers.
- The complaint asserts the terminations targeted Democratic-leaning states, pointing to Vought’s post touting that nearly $8 billion was being canceled and listing the affected states.
- Plaintiffs warn the cancellations will trigger layoffs and stall efforts to lower energy costs, expand access to electric vehicles and solar power, and reduce pollution in disadvantaged communities.
- St. Paul cites the loss of a $560,844 award to expand EV charging in underserved neighborhoods as a direct harm.