EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin embarks on a $20 billion recovery mission from environmental grants misallocated under a scheme criticized for reduced oversight.
Quick Takes
- Lee Zeldin targets $20 billion in grants under Biden’s climate law for oversight deficiencies.
- Funds were managed through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund as part of the Inflation Reduction Act.
- Zeldin demands the termination of agreements with financial institutions involved in fund management.
- The Justice Department and EPA’s Inspector General office are involved to ensure accountability.
The Misallocation of Climate Funds
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Lee Zeldin is on a mission to recover $20 billion from climate project grants allocated through the Biden administration’s climate law. His targets include entities funded by the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, originally set up to decarbonize the economy through nearly $27 billion in competitive grants.
Zeldin criticizes the allocation of $20 billion to eight groups, including the Climate United Fund, with allegations of inadequate oversight and transparency during fund disbursement. As part of his initiative, he seeks to ensure those funds are accounted for with the involvement of the Justice Department.
MONEY NEWS: EPA CHIEF ZELDIN VOWS TO RECLAIM $20 BILLION FROM BIDEN'S CLIMATE SPENDING! 💰
Zeldin accuses Biden administration of mismanagement, aims to restore funds!
“The days of irresponsibly shoveling boatloads of cash to far-left activist groups in the name of…
— Bill Mitchell (@mitchellvii) February 13, 2025
Legal and Financial Challenges Await
Reclaiming the $20 billion is poised to encounter legal obstacles, prompting deeper scrutiny of the Inflation Reduction Act’s subsidies. The funds, originally earmarked for low-income, disadvantaged, and rural communities, may now be suspended. Dream.org, a nonprofit focused on environmental justice, argues that rescinding these funds harms the U.S. business climate.
“One of my very top priorities at EPA is to be an excellent steward of your hard-earned tax dollars. There will be zero tolerance of any waste and abuse. We will review every penny that has gone out the door. The days of irresponsibly shoveling boat loads of cash to far-left, activist groups in the name of environmental justice and climate equity are over,” stated Zeldin.
Zeldin emphasizes the importance of fiscal responsibility while underscoring the need for reallocated funds to be put to their intended use. This stance is echoed by Zeldin’s prior commitments during his Senate confirmation hearing.
Charting a Course for Accountability
Zeldin’s approach illustrates a zero-tolerance policy for waste, with a vow to scrutinize the EPA’s grant funding. The perceived lack of transparency is described as “unprecedented,” having funneled taxpayer money to external entities without due diligence.
“This scheme was the first of its kind in EPA history, and it was purposefully designed to obligate all of the money in a rush job with reduced oversight,” Zeldin said in a post on X.
Zeldin’s actions mark a shift towards a more rigid oversight framework within the EPA, aligning with fiscal conservative goals to protect taxpayer funds from misuse.
