There has been a lot in the news about changes in funding availability since the new Administration took office. Things are in flux and there is a lot of confusion. We will keep this page updated with the latest developments and opportunities for action.
On January 20, 2025, the Administration ordered a pause on all “Green New Deal” funding, pending a 90-day review. On January 27, the Federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo announcing an immediate freeze on disbursement of Federal funds. If this stands, it would be an extreme power grab, but it has been challenged in the courts. OMB rescinded its memo on January 29, but the White House has implied that the funds are still frozen. The announcement was meant to create chaos and make people fear that the programs they depend on will be taken away. But it’s not the end of the story.
Two Federal courts issued restraining orders to keep the funds flowing, but there were still reports of grant recipients having trouble accessing funds they had been awarded.
As of February 25, 2025, it appeared that all EPA programs had been unfrozen, except for the NCIF and CCIA grants under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The situation, however, is still in flux.
Courts say that the Administration lacks authority to implement a funding freeze because it is Congress that controls spending decisions.
Harvard’s Environmental and Energy Law Program published this explainer of the legal requirements for withholding funds at various stages of the grant process.
The Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund provided this analysis of the Executive Orders on February 17.
Some are and some aren’t. Links to government web pages on this website take you either to the actual government site (e.g., a lot of the IRS pages) or an archived web page from the Biden Administration. The archived pages either have a “Wayback Machine” logo in the upper left-hand corner, or their URL begins with bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov. Archived pages will no longer be updated and the links within those pages may or may not work.
If you are trying to find a web page that no longer exists, try entering the URL at archive.org to find an archived version. If the page was on whitehouse.gov, look for the same URL at bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov. More archived resources here.
On the top of the page dedicated to that funding, we will add a note in italics when we have information about continued availability. If you don’t find a message there, contact us and we’ll help (info@energyfundsforall.org; 919-839-0006 ext. 103).
No-one knows for sure what funding will survive. Current efforts by the executive branch are not legal since it is Congress that has authority over spending. Based on reports we’ve seen, the Administration seems most eager to cancel funding for wind energy, electric vehicles, electric vehicle charging, and climate justice. However, these programs are bringing jobs and dollars to both Red and Blue states, so their repeal will face opposition.
Tax credits should survive at least through 2025, since Congressional action is needed to change tax law, and tax law changes generally don’t take effect until the tax year after they pass. There is broad support for these tax credits, so we are cautiously optimistic that Congress will leave at least some of them in effect until 2033, as provided for in the Inflation Reduction Act. For more details, see pp. 7-9 of this explainer from Harvard’s Environmental and Energy Law Program.
The Friends Committee on National Legislation is lobbying Congress to preserve IRA tax credits.
More info on our pages for specific tax credits (e.g., EVs, Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit, or clean energy systems for homes, businesses, or nonprofits).
Federal grants that have been “obligated” should be safe. “Obligated” generally means the grant has been awarded and the recipient has signed a contract with the granting agency. However, grants funded on a “drawdown” or “reimbursement” basis (i.e., you bill the government in installments as you spend the funds) may face delays until court cases are settled and the funding freeze is lifted.
If the Administration ultimately attempts to block grants that have already been awarded, it may be faced with breach-of-contract lawsuits from grantees.
Consider reaching out to Lawyers for Good Government, which provides pro bono support to Federal grantees who are having difficulty accessing funds. They will track this violation and reach out to you about potential next steps.
The Environmental Protection Network (EPN), a group of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) retirees, can help if your grant is from the EPA. Their recommendations:
If you still have access to ASAP, consider trying to get as much of your funding as possible drawn down properly and legally. Make sure you are clear on your award obligations and 100% in compliance. For most grants, you have to spend these funds within 5 days (payroll, purchases, etc.). Take screenshots and document any changes in your ASAP to preserve the record. Do not draw down funds improperly; if you have questions, reach out to EPN’s contractors at epa-support@trccompanies.com, who can provide pro bono assistance.
If you are being denied a drawdown, document all your efforts to legally draw down funding from your ASAP account. Email your Program Officer. You can use this email template, adding details relevant to your grant, including actual harm being done. Consult with your legal counsel, if any, for help with the email.
If your ASAP account says that your funds are in “warehousing” and the effective date on your award is in the future, email Michelle Roos at EPN with the subject line “warehousing.” This may not be a concern but she will let you know if it is.
If you have questions on any of this, or if you are “in limbo,” e.g., if you have been selected but have not received your award or your award was signed but not emailed to you, contact EPN at info@environmentalprotectionnetwork.org.
The Southern Economic Advancement Project offers this 7-step action guide if your Federal grant or loan is frozen.
Visit this website to easily find contact info for your legislators and write them a message on any topic. Be sure to remind them about benefits your project will provide to their constituents (jobs, the economy, energy independence, decreased exposure to pollution, etc.)
Appalachian Voices offers toolkits to help Federal grant and loan recipients and the general public contact their legislators.
In this 7-step action guide, the Southern Economic Advancement Project offers a template for a letter to legislators for organizations whose Federal grant or loan is frozen.
The Friends Committee on National Legislation is lobbying Congress to preserve IRA tax credits.
Contact us! (info@energyfundsforall.org, 919-839-0006 ext. 103) We will connect you with media outlets and nonprofits that are looking for stories to tell.
We will post opportunities here as they arise.
Yes! Email us at info@energyfundsforall.org or call us at 919-839-0006 ext. 103.
Energy Funds for All is a comprehensive resource guide that provides clear access to federal climate funds for homeowners, renters, municipalities, and more in North Carolina and South Carolina.
Stay updated as new funds become available, get tips on accessing the funds.
Given the changing status of federal policies and programs, we recommend contacting us via email at info@energyfundsforall.org or phone at 919-839-0006 ext. 103 to confirm program availability.
Learn more at our FAQs HERE and contact your legislators HERE.
