DOE Cancels $7.6B Clean Energy Grants Targeting Multiple States

The U.S. Department of Energy, under President Donald Trump's administration, has canceled $7.6 billion in Biden-era clean energy grants, disproportionately affecting Democratic-led states such as Maryland, where nearly $88 million in projects were cut. These cancellations target a variety of renewable energy initiatives, including battery storage, hydrogen fuel cell inputs, electric heat pumps, and transmission projects, reversing progress made on climate and clean energy finance. Maryland officials and advocates criticized the cuts, highlighting the negative impact on energy costs, grid reliability, and future infrastructure resilience. Meanwhile, American Electric Power is investing $54 billion from 2025 to 2029 in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and renewable projects to enhance grid reliability and expand its renewable portfolio despite broader funding setbacks. Internationally, Australia is advancing renewable energy infrastructure with the controversial $4.8 billion HumeLink transmission line, designed to support the National Electricity Market and Snowy Hydro expansion, amid concerns over environmental and community impacts. These developments reflect contrasting approaches to clean energy investment and infrastructure amid political and regional tensions.