EPA Cancels $29 Billion in Federal Grants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced the cancellation of over $29 billion in federal grants, as stated by administrator Lee Zeldin during a recent interview on Fox News.
In his discussion on “Special Report with Brett Baier,” Zeldin mentioned that his administration found itself with grants that were almost three times larger than the agency’s annual operating budget of about $10 billion. He indicated that these grants were primarily associated with green energy initiatives funded by former President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
“We’ve cancelled over $29 billion in grants. Our operating budget is around $10 billion each year,” Zeldin explained to Baier. “The $27 billion was allocated to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which was established during Biden’s one-party control of Congress.”
Zeldin criticized the way the Biden administration channeled these grants, implying that they went through a network of convoluted intermediaries.
“It was mired in self-dealing, conflicts of interest, and unqualified recipients, all while the agency’s oversight diminished. Funds were funneled through various pastors. The integrity of the dollar is compromised,” he stated. “And if we’re really discussing spending on environmental issues, it should be for meaningful repairs. Instead, it seems to go to friends, former Biden and Obama officials, and Democratic donors.”
He also pointed out a non-governmental organization (NGO) associated with Stacey Abrams, who had previously received a relatively small grant of $100 in 2023 but later secured a $2 billion grant from Biden’s EPA.
“President Trump highlights Stacey Abrams, who is linked to an NGO that received $2 billion,” Zeldin remarked. “They received just $100 in 2023 and $2 billion in 2024 from the Biden EPA. They reportedly have 90 days to finish a course called ‘How to develop a budget.’ Yet, they could potentially spend billions within just the first 21 days.”
Tax records reveal that Abrams’ group, Fair Fight Action, invested around $22.2 million into the law firm Lawrence & Bundy between 2019 and 2023. The Biden EPA awarded $2 billion to this organization to support the forward community, part of the $27 billion greenhouse gas reduction program initiated by the Inflation Reduction Act.
