Latest news with #OfficeofCleanEnergyDemonstrations
E&E News
9 hours ago
- Business
- E&E News
Trump's DOE budget plan details department overhaul
The Trump administration is fleshing out a budget proposal to support an overhaul of the Department of Energy, proposing steep cuts to most clean energy technology programs and a hefty funding boost for maintaining and upgrading America's fleet of nuclear weapons. In a 'budget in brief' document for fiscal 2026 posted Monday, DOE said it is looking to zero out funding for solar, wind and hydrogen offices and slash spending by more than 30 percent for offices focused exclusively on electricity and fossil fuels. Trump's $46.3 billion proposal also directs DOE's new Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, designed to help cut industrial emissions, to 'wind down operations.' And it calls for cutting the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) by more than 70 percent. Advertisement The budget proposal isn't likely to make it through Congress without significant changes. Still, the document provides a window into how the administration wants to revamp programs, alter staffing and redirect funding to support nuclear energy and other priorities of Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The proposal also may work in tandem with the rolling back of clean energy tax credits under the Republican's budget reconciliation package before the Senate.
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
DOE scuttles $1B in Texas clean energy funding
The U.S. Department of Energy has canceled $3.7 billion in clean energy projects nationwide, including more than $1 billion tied to facilities in Texas. Why it matters: The elimination of the 24 projects created under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law is among the biggest and most specific cases yet of Trump 2.0 officials pulling the plug on the Biden administration's unprecedented subsidies for low-carbon energy. Context: The department was aiming to close the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and terminate nearly half its awarded funding, Axios Pro reported last month. Driving the news: The terminated support was aimed mostly at carbon capture and various other "decarbonization initiatives," DOE said in a statement. DOE alleged that Biden officials "failed to conduct a thorough financial review" and noted that 16 of the awards were "signed" between the election and President Trump's inauguration. Zoom in: Texas saw four projects terminated, including three near Houston: Calpine Texas CCUS Holdings, Baytown – $270 million. Exxon Mobil Corporation, Baytown – $331.9 million. Orsted Star P2X, Chambers County – $99 million. Eastman Chemical Company, Longview – $375 million. What they're saying: "Today, we are acting in the best interest of the American people," U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in the announcement. The DOE said in the statement the projects "were not economically viable and would not generate a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars." The other side:"The abrupt termination of $3.7 billion in clean energy investment is shortsighted and malicious," said Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee's energy panel. What we're watching: Other projects that could be on the chopping block.
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Energy Department scuttles $3.7B in clean-energy projects
The Energy Department said Friday it's canceling over $3.7 billion in awards for 24 projects through its Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations created under the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. Why it matters: It's among the biggest and most specific cases yet of Trump 2.0 officials pulling the plug on the Biden administration's unprecedented subsidies for low-carbon energy. Axios Pro Energy reported last month that the department was aiming to close the clean-energy office and terminate nearly half its awarded funding. Driving the news: The terminated support was aimed mostly at carbon capture and various other "decarbonization initiatives," DOE said in a statement. "DOE found that these projects failed to advance the energy needs of the American people, were not economically viable and would not generate a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars," it said. DOE also alleged that Biden officials "failed to conduct a thorough financial review" and noted that 16 of the awards were "signed" between the election and President Trump's inauguration. Zoom in: The cancellations include: $500 million approved for Heidelberg Materials to capture CO2 from cement production nearly $332 million for Exxon's Baytown Olefins Plant Carbon Reduction Project in Texas; $500 million for the Lebec Net Zero Project to produce "carbon neutral" cement in California; $170 million for Kraft Heinz for clean-energy projects at 10 U.S. plants. The other side: "The abrupt termination of $3.7 billion in clean energy investment is shortsighted and malicious," said Rep. Marcy Kaptur, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee's energy panel. What we're watching: Other projects that could be on the chopping block.
