Judge blocks E.P.A. from withdrawing $14 billion in grants
A federal judge has temporarily stopped the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) from taking back $14 billion in climate grant funding. This money has been held at Citibank since late last year. The decision came after controversy surrounding the funds. E.P.A. administrator Lee Zeldin raised concerns about potential fraud and accused the Biden administration of favoritism in selecting grant recipients. He also connected the funds to a hidden-camera video from Project Veritas. U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan stated that the E.P.A. did not provide credible evidence to support its claim for canceling the grants. She also noted that the agency did not follow the correct procedures. This ruling follows the E.P.A.’s recent attempts to end $20 billion in grants. The dispute has been ongoing for weeks, involving eight nonprofits that received funding for renewable energy and climate projects. The funds have been frozen since mid-February at the request of the Trump administration.