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#Climate Change #Energy
TechCrunch
TechCrunch
1M ago 33 views

Department of Energy cancels $7.5B of clean energy projects in mostly blue states

The Department of Energy has canceled $7.56 billion in clean energy project awards, primarily affecting states that supported Kamala Harris in the last election.
Department of Energy cancels $7.5B of clean energy projects in mostly blue states
A What happened
On October 2, 2025, the Department of Energy revealed it would cancel 321 awards totaling $7.56 billion, primarily targeting clean energy initiatives. The majority of these cuts affected states that supported Kamala Harris in the last presidential election, although some projects in Republican states were also included. Notable cancellations include California's $1.2 billion hydrogen hub and several direct air capture projects. The decision has drawn criticism and legal challenges from awardees, who have 30 days to appeal. This move aligns with the Trump administration's broader strategy to roll back clean energy initiatives, as evidenced by previous cancellations and restrictions on climate-related language within the agency. The situation underscores the contentious nature of U.S. energy policy and the ongoing debate over fossil fuel reliance versus clean energy development.

Key insights

  • 1

    Significant Cancellations

    The DOE's decision affects major clean energy projects across multiple states.

  • 2

    Political Implications

    The cancellations highlight partisan divides in energy policy.

  • 3

    Legal Challenges

    Affected awardees are expected to appeal the DOE's decision.

Takeaways

The cancellation of these projects reflects ongoing conflicts in U.S. energy policy and governance.