The Trump administration announced Thursday it will audit roughly $15 billion in grants awarded during the Biden administration to power grid and manufacturing supply chain projects. The Department of Energy (DOE) said the review targets funding that was “rushed out the door,” particularly in the final days of Biden’s presidency.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the findings so far have been troubling. “Any reputable business would have a process in place for evaluating spending and investments before money goes out the door, and the American people deserve no less from their federal government,” Wright stated. A DOE memorandum said if projects are found to fall short of department standards, they may be altered or terminated under federal law.
The audit will involve a review of application materials and additional documentation from grant recipients. Large-scale commercial projects are being prioritized, and the review could expand to other DOE offices, putting more grants under scrutiny.
