Blocking funding for environmental projects in U.S. may violate federal law, say senators

Several members of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee have written to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator, Lee Zeldin, to advise him that freezing funding for environmental programmes already established may violate federal law.

According to reports, the EPA has sent letters to various grant recipients to notify them that it was pausing “all funding actions related to” the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Among the programmes affected is the Solar for All initiative, which supports the development of solar energy in low-income communities.

Undermines EPA’s core mission

According to Democrat senators Sanders, Merkley, Markey, Kelly, Padilla, Schiff, Blunt Rochester, and Alsobrooks, led by senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), the funding freeze not only undermines the EPA’s core mission, but also runs contrary to federal law.

“Federal law and regulations require that obligated funds be provided to grantees absent proof of misuse of funds,” they wrote. “We further note that the Solar for All program furthers several goals, all of which are part of EPA’s core mission, which you support. It is designed to help reduce carbon pollution, air pollutants, and household energy costs by financing community and rooftop solar in low-income communities. It will further help drive American manufacturing, boosting the economy and creating jobs.”

Follow the law

During his confirmation process, Zeldin assured lawmakers that he would respect congressional appropriation decisions and follow the law, stating “If confirmed, I pledge to respect all of Congress’s duly enacted statutes.”

That funding has been paused has prompted the senators to demand that Zeldin provide a valid legal justification for the funding freezes and explain when he plans restore the availability of the funds to grant recipients.

The letter also acknowledges that the decision by the incoming Trump administration to pause funding may have been made before Zeldin’s confirmation but calls on him to act immediately to reverse the decision in accordance with federal law. Read more here.