Marketplace All-in-One Federal funding pullbacks in JD Vance's hometown
Oct 21, 2025
The Trump administration has scrapped green initiatives, impacting a crucial eco-friendly steel project in JD Vance's hometown of Middletown, Ohio. Meanwhile, collective bargaining rights for Uber and Lyft drivers are making waves in California, potentially reshaping gig work. The U.S. and Australia are also joining forces in a strategic alliance to counter China's dominance in rare earth metals. Local residents express their frustration and health concerns over the halted funding for their town, raising questions about political accountability.
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Federal Pullbacks Halt Local Green Projects
- The Trump administration has paused or reallocated at least $35 billion of Biden-era climate funds, affecting projects nationwide.
- Middletown’s hydrogen steel upgrade lost a $500 million grant and illustrates how federal shifts disrupt local green transitions.
Everyday Soot From Nearby Coke Plant
- Middletown resident Heather Gibson describes soot so bad she now changes air filters every two weeks.
- The nearby coke plant for Cleveland Cliffs blankets the town in coal-derived pollution, shaping everyday life.
Blueprint Conversion Undone By Politics And Supply
- The planned Middletown retrofit aimed to convert coal-based furnaces to hydrogen, seen as a replicable blueprint.
- Cancellation highlights supply issues and regulatory shifts that can derail industrial decarbonization.