By Valerie Volcovici
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic lawmakers Friday sent letters to two federal agencies asking them to explain why they froze federal funds on clean energy and investments that lower energy costs for American consumers, saying the agencies have violated federal laws.
Senate Democrats on Friday asked newly-confirmed Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin to explain why his agency froze federal funds that were already obligated to grantees, saying the agency has violated federal laws.
Democrats on the Senate environment committee asked Zeldin why the agency has "clawed back" funds that were already committed after hearing from their constituents about being unable to access funds for solar energy and other projects already under way.
"Federal law and regulations require that obligated funds be provided to grantees absent proof of misuse of funds,” wrote Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Bernie Sanders, Angela Alsobrooks and others.
Republican President Donald Trump has prioritized unleashing U.S. fossil fuel production. During his first two weeks in office, the administration threw the energy industry into confusion after pausing certain funding for clean energy mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - two laws signed by his Democratic predecessor former President Joe Biden.
The administration had also ordered a freeze on hundreds of billions of dollars in federal grants on Wednesday in the face of legal setbacks and widespread opposition but appeared to abandon the proposed freeze by Wednesday after public outcry.
Senator Patty Murray and Representative Marcy Kaptur sent a letter to Ingrid Kolb, the acting secretary of the Department of Energy, saying it took action to halt programs key to ensuring the security and prosperity of Americans.
"The Department’s actions to halt these programs will immediately contribute to rising energy costs for families and businesses, and they are a dereliction of the Department’s responsibility to carry out duly enacted spending laws," the letter said.
The DOE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
An EPA spokesperson told Reuters that the agency "has paused all funding actions related to the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act at this time" despite the White House backtracking on its freeze.
"The agency is continuing to work diligently to implement President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order issued on January 20 in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget," the spokesperson said, adding that the agency is reviewing the senators' letter "and will respond through appropriate channels."
The senators asked for the agency to send them a legal justification for blocking access to the $7 billion Solar for All program, which has 60 grant recipients that will build out low-income solar programs, as well as other climate-related programs.