President Trump’s halt on federal clean energy funding is stalling billions in investments, with most of the economic fallout affecting Republican-led states that had benefited from Biden-era climate incentives.
Lisa Friedman, Brad Plumer and Harry Stevens report for The New York Times.
In short:
- The Trump administration has frozen grants for renewable energy projects, battery factories and grid modernization, despite legal challenges and court orders to release the funds.
- Roughly 80% of clean energy investments spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act have gone to Republican districts, where companies now face uncertainty, layoffs and project cancellations.
- Some Republican lawmakers quietly support clean energy funding for their districts but hesitate to publicly challenge Trump’s stance.
Key quote:
“I expect thousands of people to be laid off, I expect workers to be furloughed, and I expect construction projects to halt.”
— Jason Walsh, executive director of the BlueGreen Alliance
Why this matters:
The freeze jeopardizes a manufacturing boom that had brought jobs and investment to rural and industrial communities, many of which lean Republican. Delays in solar, wind and battery production threaten U.S. energy security and competitiveness in a growing global market.
Read more: Trump’s funding freeze halts solar program for low-income communities
