Gov. Josh Shapiro is suing the federal government, alleging that the Trump administration’s freeze on billions in congressionally approved climate funds is illegal and jeopardizing Pennsylvania’s environmental programs and jobs.
Jon Hurdle reports for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Pennsylvania’s lawsuit claims that Trump administration officials froze over $1.2 billion in federal funds meant for climate and infrastructure projects, despite lacking legal authority to do so.
- The freeze has blocked grants for clean-water systems, mine remediation and energy-efficiency programs, stalling projects and putting thousands of jobs at risk.
- Gov. Shapiro is asking a federal court to lift the freeze and restore funds authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Key quote:
“By blocking these funds, the Trump administration is putting policies before people, compromising real progress to improve the lives of hardworking families.”
— Joanne Kilgour, executive director, Ohio River Valley Institute
Why this matters:
Shapiro says this freeze isn’t just a bureaucratic headache — it’s a threat to critical environmental programs and thousands of jobs across the state. Without the promised cash, vital projects are stalled, leaving vulnerable communities hanging and threatening Pennsylvania’s ability to tackle climate threats head-on.
