Trump’s energy department is poised to recover $15 billion in frivolous green energy grants handed out by Biden to major corporations that failed to create sustainable jobs or real economic benefits.
Key Takeaways
- The Trump administration under Energy Secretary Christopher Wright is reviewing $15 billion in green energy grants issued by the Biden administration to 179 recipients including ExxonMobil and Cleveland-Cliffs
- The review targets both ongoing and cancelled projects to verify their long-term economic impact and job creation potential
- Cleveland-Cliffs’ recent job cuts have raised concerns about the effectiveness of these green energy investments
- The evaluation aligns with Trump’s broader executive actions to reduce wasteful government spending and increase accountability for federal funds
- Companies like BASF and Orsted confirm their projects are under review but currently proceeding as scheduled
Trump Administration’s Strategic Review of Biden-Era Green Energy Funding
The Trump administration has launched a comprehensive audit of over $15 billion in green energy grants distributed during Biden’s term. Energy Secretary Christopher Wright is leading this meticulous evaluation of 179 grant recipients, including major corporations like ExxonMobil, BASF, Eastman Chemical, Cleveland-Cliffs, and Orsted. The review comes amid growing concerns that these massive expenditures failed to deliver the promised economic benefits and job creation. This initiative reflects President Trump’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and his administration’s broader strategy to eliminate wasteful government spending that doesn’t serve America’s strategic interests.
“The Biden administration spent money we didn’t have to pay for things we didn’t need” Stated James Carter.
Corporate Recipients Respond to the Audit
Recipients of the green energy grants have offered varied responses to the ongoing review. BASF, which received funding for a low-carbon syngas project in Freeport, Texas, maintains that they are proceeding with the initial planning phase. Similarly, Orsted representatives have indicated that their Project Star continues to progress despite acknowledging the program is under scrutiny. These statements reveal a cautious approach by corporations as they navigate the uncertainty surrounding the future of their government-funded projects while trying to reassure stakeholders of their viability.
“What we can share is that, as of October 2024, BASF has entered into a cooperative agreement with the DOE for our proposed low-carbon syngas project at our Freeport, Texas site. With this, we have started Phase 1 of our project: initial planning and analysis. Throughout the entire process BASF will collaborate with the DOE to develop the appropriate deliverables necessary to progress to the following phases ” Said Julia Arns.
Job Creation Concerns Driving the Review
The Trump administration’s scrutiny of these green energy grants stems partly from troubling developments at companies like Cleveland-Cliffs, which has implemented job cuts despite receiving substantial funding. This pattern raises serious questions about whether the Biden-era green initiatives truly generated sustainable employment or merely funneled taxpayer dollars to corporations without delivering the promised economic benefits. The review is consistent with President Trump’s Executive Order 14222, which specifically targets discretionary spending through federal contracts and grants to ensure they provide real value to American taxpayers and support genuine job growth.
“President Donald Trump’s administration is deepening its review of more than $15 billion in grants and other support awarded by its predecessor for upgrading power grids and manufacturing energy technology.”
Broader Government Accountability Initiatives
The green energy grant review is part of Trump’s comprehensive strategy to increase government efficiency and accountability. Through Executive Order 14215, the administration has implemented rigorous accountability measures for all federal agencies. This action builds upon Executive Order 14148, which rescinded numerous Biden-era executive orders that expanded government spending without proper oversight. The administration is also examining the Department of Energy’s practices regarding research funding, particularly limiting financial support for indirect costs that don’t contribute directly to America’s energy security and economic prosperity.
“Continues the reduction in the elements of the Federal bureaucracy that the President has determined are unnecessary” Stated President Trump.
Strategic Reallocation of Resources
As the review progresses, the Trump administration is focused on redirecting resources toward initiatives that demonstrate clear economic benefits and align with national priorities. This approach represents a fundamental shift from the previous administration’s emphasis on ideologically-driven green initiatives to a more pragmatic focus on energy policies that enhance American competitiveness, create real jobs, and strengthen energy independence. The administration has signaled that funds recovered from underperforming or unnecessary green projects may be reallocated to support domestic energy production and infrastructure development that delivers tangible benefits to American citizens.
“The DOE award is proceeding to schedule as we continue to develop the project. We’re aware that the program is currently under review, but there have been no changes to the award for Project Star at this time” Stated Jakob Goetzsche.
