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Tina Quagliato Sullivan’s eyes light up when she talks about the nearly $20 million federal grant Springfield won last year.
The money, one of many “community change grants” the Environmental Protection Agency awarded to disadvantaged communities, will cover an array of projects aimed at reducing pollution and blunting the effects of climate change. They include home weatherization and lead paint removal; a road improvement project; and converting two city buildings to geothermal energy, so they can serve as heating and cooling centers.
“None of these projects would really be possible without this funding,” said Sullivan, Springfield’s deputy development officer for housing, community services and sustainability.
Sullivan was about to make her first grant-related office hire when President Trump signed several sweeping executive actions, including one dubbed “Unleashing American Energy.” Trump’s directives set off a head-spinning series of government edicts, lawsuits, court orders, phone calls and emails from EPA headquarters, which froze, then unfroze — at least for now — access to federal funds.
The latest came Monday morning, when the EPA sent an email that seemed to allow grant recipients to move forward with funded projects. The email cited a recent temporary restraining order issued by a federal judge.
“There still remains an awful lot of unknowns, but for the time being, I think we’re thrilled,” Sullivan said. “We intend to move forward.”
The reprieve may be temporary. Uncertainty lingers for this and many other projects, as Trump works to unwind some of the Biden Administration’s signature environmental, climate and energy initiatives, many of which fall under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
These initiatives include the EPA’s $7 billion Solar For All program, which awarded Massachusetts $156 million to help install solar panels in low-income communities. The EPA also recently awarded $35 million to Boston to expand its electric school bus fleet; $3 million to create a community advisory council in East Boston, and nearly $500,000 for workforce development in Worcester.
Many of these projects seek to widen access to renewable energy and address disproportionate exposure to pollution and climate hazards among low-income communities and residents of color. The Trump administration has different priorities: promoting drilling for oil and gas, eliminating government subsidies for electric vehicles and charging stations, and curtailing funding for climate change and environmental justice initiatives.
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States, cities and nonprofits across the country that received EPA grants under former President Joe Biden got an email on Jan. 28 telling them this money was on hold, pending a review of grants to ensure they align with the Trump administration’s goals.
Maria Hardiman, a spokesperson for the state’s office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, called the Solar for All funding “critical,” and said in an email that “Massachusetts is continuing to monitor the status of federal grants to support affordable clean energy programs for our residents and businesses.”
For Sullivan, the process has been “incredibly unclear” and the possibility of the government reviewing — and possibly revoking — a signed contract is troubling.
“ The best case scenario is that the federal government honors the executed binding contract that they signed with the city,” she said. And the worst case scenario? The federal government decides not to honor the contract, she added, “and then the city explores its legal options.”
Former EPA Regional Administrator David Cash said he’s not surprised the Trump administration is “ pushing the limits of what is legal,” and he’s concerned about the status of these grants.
“E ven though the courts have said that the administration needs to follow through with these grants, if they don’t, what happens then? What’s the mechanism for enforcement and accountability?” he asked. “It’s just an act of brazen, bad governance.”
In a Jan. 28 email, an EPA spokesperson said the agency is “continuing to work diligently to implement President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order issued on January 20 in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget.”
The EPA declined to offer further comment on Monday, instead referring questions to the Department of Justice, which also offered no comment.
Miriam Wasser Senior Reporter, Climate and Environment
Miriam Wasser is a reporter with WBUR's climate and environment team.
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Barbara Moran Correspondent, Climate and Environment
Barbara Moran is a correspondent on WBUR’s environmental team.
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