POLITICO Energy Trump suffers legal defeats in bid to pause Biden-era climate spending
Apr 17, 2025
This week, legal setbacks hinder Donald Trump's efforts to overturn Biden's climate spending initiatives. Judges upheld access to significant environmental grants, ensuring funding for crucial programs. The discussion delves into the ramifications of these rulings on federal spending policies. Additionally, the Army Corps of Engineers is expediting permits for the contentious Line 5 oil pipeline. These developments highlight the ongoing legal battles shaping America’s energy landscape.
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Judge Blocks EPA's Grant Termination
- A federal judge blocked the EPA from terminating $14 billion in climate grants without proper due process.
- This injunction may soon allow environmental groups to access $625 million in pending requests again.
Court Rebukes Broad Grant Freeze
- A Rhode Island federal judge ruled the Trump administration illegally froze climate and infrastructure grants without specific reasons.
- Agencies must provide individual evidence or reasoning to justify freezing grants nationwide under these laws.
Courts Check Presidential Power
- The courts are limiting President Trump's attempts to halt congressionally mandated climate spending.
- These legal setbacks illustrate that presidential power to cancel grants is not unlimited and must follow legal procedures.