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Court Blocks Trump Administration’s Clawback of Climate Funds

1 week ago 0

A federal appeals court stopped the Trump administration’s attempt to reclaim climate funds from the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals restored a preliminary injunction preventing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from withdrawing billions earmarked for climate projects. This decision reversed a smaller panel’s earlier action to cancel the injunction.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin planned to recover $20 billion targeted for green banks to fund climate change mitigation and pollution reduction. The Trump administration asserted it ended the program and aimed to retrieve the funding. Following the ruling, an EPA spokesperson stated they are evaluating the judgment and considering further options. Meanwhile, the funds’ status remains unclear.

The EPA spokesperson provided no update on the funds’ status after the previous injunction was lifted almost a year ago.

Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, providing updates on policies affecting energy and the environment. Here are key developments:

  • Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent anticipated a possible deal regarding the Strait of Hormuz within days to ease tensions affecting this crucial shipping channel.
  • The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) risks staffing shortages during major disasters, warns a nonpartisan congressional watchdog.
  • Texas Gov. Greg Abbott directed audits of all data centers connected to the state grid before adding new facilities.
  • Cyberattacks targeted water and wastewater utilities in seven states, prompting reports to the FBI.

Additional stories from elsewhere:

  • Reuters reports South Korea’s response to a deadly heatwave, declaring it a national disaster as death tolls rise.
  • Michigan Public discusses the potential review of the Line 5 tunnel project after pressure from the MI Supreme Court.

Further coverage on The Hill highlights Democratic socialist Francesca Hong’s controversial stance on canceling Thanksgiving, fueling her progressive agenda in Wisconsin.

Additionally, President Trump reportedly ordered the redoing of work on the White House helipad due to dissatisfaction with its appearance.

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