In a startling move just days after the Trump administration canceled nearly $8 billion in clean energy projects across 16 blue states, the Department of Energy is now reportedly considering the termination of an additional 300 projects, which amount to over $15.8 billion. This information comes from a leaked list reviewed by The Times, indicating potential cuts that could reshape the landscape of renewable energy in the United States.
The leaked list includes five out of seven projects aimed at developing clean hydrogen energy in the U.S., initiatives that were awarded under President Biden. Notably, funding for the other two hydrogen hubs was terminated last week, including California’s project, known as the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES). Although the list is not an official document, its origin from credible sources within the administration raises significant concerns about the future of clean energy funding.
Among the potential terminations are significant awards, such as a $500 million grant to General Motors intended for converting an existing vehicle assembly plant in Michigan into an electric vehicle production facility. Additionally, two major carbon capture projects in Indiana and North Dakota are facing cuts of $500 million and $350 million, respectively. Carbon capture technology is crucial for mitigating climate change, as it captures carbon dioxide emissions from industrial processes before they enter the atmosphere.
The list began circulating after the administration's previous cancellation of more than 300 awards, all located in states that did not support Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. This prompted swift denunciations from Democrats, who labeled the cuts as politically motivated. However, the latest proposed cuts seem less partisan, with Texas facing the most significant losses — 54 terminated projects totaling nearly $2.4 billion, including $50 million for the South Texas Direct Air Capture Hub.
California appears to be facing the brunt of these cancellations, with a total of 93 projects potentially on the chopping block, amounting to $3.5 billion. This is the highest figure among all states, indicating a significant blow to the state’s clean energy initiatives.
The Trump administration, which has been an ardent supporter of fossil fuels, claims that these cancellations are intended to save American taxpayers' money. According to the Department of Energy, the projects terminated last week did not “adequately advance the nation’s energy needs” and were deemed “not economically viable.” However, department officials have not confirmed the list of additional pending cuts, with spokesman Ben Dietderich stating that no determinations have been made beyond what has already been announced.
California Senator Alex Padilla, who is advocating for the restoration of funding for the hydrogen hub, expressed that the potential defunding of all seven U.S. hydrogen hubs aligns with the Trump administration’s agenda. He emphasized that hydrogen, when produced cleanly, generates only water as a byproduct, representing a promising alternative to fossil fuels in various sectors. Padilla criticized the administration’s prioritization of fossil fuels and warned that the cuts would not only create uncertainty for industry and investors but would also escalate energy costs while moving the U.S. further from achieving energy dominance.
Experts have noted that even cancellations in predominantly blue states will affect a wide array of voters across the political spectrum. In California, for instance, many elements of the planned ARCHES hydrogen hub were situated in the Central Valley, a region that largely supported Trump in 2024. An analysis by The Times revealed that the latest list of potential cuts spans approximately 190 Democratic and 136 Republican congressional districts. When combined with last week’s cuts, the total would reflect a skewed impact on Democratic districts, with funding slashed in 486 Democratic districts compared to just 160 Republican ones.
Conrad Schneider, a senior director at the nonprofit Clean Air Task Force, articulated the far-reaching consequences of these sweeping funding cuts. He stressed that the U.S. has invested years into innovative energy projects that support economic growth, lower household costs, and meet rising energy demands. Schneider cautioned that abruptly canceling funding for hundreds of energy projects risks undermining American energy leadership and signals a troubling disregard for U.S. innovation in the energy sector.
