Washington: The Trump administration has announced a sweeping audit of approximately $15 billion in energy-related grants awarded under former President Joe Biden, focusing on projects tied to the power grid and domestic manufacturing supply chains.
President Donald Trump, known for his strong support of oil, natural gas, and coal industries, has taken a sharply different direction on energy policy compared to his predecessor. His administration recently proposed significant budget cuts for clean energy initiatives, including funding earmarked for renewable energy development and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. It has also halted construction of offshore wind projects and begun dismantling regulations imposed on fossil fuel industries.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the Department of Energy (DOE) is now reassessing a wide range of grants issued during the Biden administration, citing serious concerns over the speed and oversight of disbursements made in the administration’s final months.
“The DOE has been hard at work reviewing the billions of dollars that were rushed out the door, particularly in the final days of the Biden administration, and what we have found is concerning,” Wright stated.
The review targets grants allocated by the DOE’s Grid Deployment Office and the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains. As part of the audit process, the department is reexamining submitted application materials and requesting additional documentation from grant recipients.
“If it is determined that projects do not meet standards, DOE may modify the project or, DOE in its discretion, may terminate the project based on the outcome of DOE’s evaluation, as allowed by law,” according to a memorandum issued by Wright.
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Wright emphasized the importance of fiscal accountability and transparency in government spending.
“Any reputable business would have a process in place for evaluating spending and investments before money goes out the door, and the American people deserve no less from their federal government,” he said.
However, the move has sparked concern among former Biden-era officials. Bridget Bartol, who served as deputy chief of staff at the DOE during the Biden administration, criticized the audit as a politically motivated attempt to derail progress in strengthening America’s energy infrastructure.
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“The fact is awarded projects are extremely well vetted on a financial and technical basis,” Bartol said. “The vast majority of projects likely under review are aimed at building a stronger U.S. industrial base, increasing electrons and building secure infrastructure.”
The DOE confirmed it has begun seeking further information from companies associated with the grants, with a focus on large-scale commercial initiatives. The audit remains in its early stages, but the department indicated it may eventually broaden its scope to include grants from other DOE offices, potentially putting tens of billions of additional dollars under review.
