The cuts affect 223 projects, including battery plants, hydrogen research, electric grid upgrades, and carbon-capture efforts. Officials claim the projects did not advance national energy needs or were not economically viable. Funding was pulled from several Energy Department offices, including Clean Energy Demonstrations and Renewable Energy.

Notably, all 16 affected states voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in the last election. Critics argue the move is political, while Trump frames it as part of his fight with Democrats over the government shutdown. “It’s another taxpayer-funded boondoggle turned into a waste of money,” one critic wrote online.

The news follows the decision to shut down California’s Ivanpah Solar Power Facility. The $2.2 billion project, partly funded by Obama’s administration, failed to meet energy targets and will close early. Environmental groups warn the latest cuts could stall progress in renewable energy.

The cancellations spark debate: Are these tough but necessary budget decisions—or a major setback for America’s clean energy future?