Judge Issues Order to Prevent Unlawful Grant Termination
April 15, 2025
Washington D.C. (April 15, 2025) — Climate United Fund (“Climate United”), along with other National Clean Investment Fund awardees and subawardees, were granted a preliminary injunction by D.C. District Judge Chutkan that prevents EPA from unlawfully terminating their grants and orders immediate disbursement of expenses incurred after the funding freeze.
“Today’s decision gives us a chance to breathe after the EPA unlawfully — and without due process — terminated our awards and blocked access to funds that were appropriated by Congress and legally obligated,” said Climate United CEO Beth Bafford. “After a year-long application process, we were hired to do a job that we’ve done for decades: investing in communities and strengthening markets. We want to get back to work.”
After eight weeks of being unable to access funds, the order will enable Climate United to continue to pursue its mission. From solar energy in Arkansas to hydropower in Alaska, local projects hang in the balance. Climate United will press forward to invest in projects that lower energy bills, create jobs, cut pollution, build strong communities, and help jumpstart American manufacturing.
This marks the second ruling from a federal judge that questions the EPA’s legal basis to terminate this program. Any efforts to undermine today’s ruling will jeopardize local projects already under construction and cost thousands of good-paying jobs.
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ABOUT CLIMATE UNITED
Climate United is a public-private investment fund that removes financial barriers to clean technologies so every American can benefit from good-paying jobs, lower energy bills, and better public health. The Climate United coalition brings 120 years of collective experience directly managing more than $30 billion in private and institutional capital to unlock economic opportunity in all 50 states and territories. Learn more at ClimateUnited.org.
Updated on April 22, 2025 to reflect the Judge's clarification order.
