Rep. DeLauro Confronts Energy Secretary on Oversight Noncompliance and Funding Cancellations

Department of Energy Oversight Noncompliance

• 📌 Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) questioned Secretary Chris Wright regarding the Department of Energy's (DOE) failure to submit a required spend plan for fiscal year 2025.
• 🏛️ The continuing resolution mandated the spend plan within 45 days, detailing how appropriated funds would be used, but the DOE missed the April deadline.
• 📜 DeLauro emphasized that the 2024 energy and water bill provides a clear blueprint for the 2025 budget, making the submission a straightforward legal requirement.
• ⚠️ Concerns were raised that the department might be "lawlessly" moving funds without proper oversight or adherence to the enacted budget.

Funding Cancellations and Justification

• 💰 DeLauro highlighted that the DOE is refusing to release over $50-67 billion in frozen federal funding, despite court orders.
• 💡 Specifically, $70 million in energy efficiency and renewable energy awards, including one for hydrogen energy technologies, have been recommended for cancellation.
• 🔌 A significant $389 million award for the Power Up New England project, aimed at reducing energy costs and increasing offshore wind power, has also been recommended for cancellation.
• 📉 These cancellations, some without clear justification and potentially politically motivated, could raise energy prices and reduce US competitiveness.

Request for Information

• 🔍 DeLauro requested a list of all awards being considered or recommended for cancellation, along with the specific criteria used for evaluation.
• ✅ This information is crucial for the committee to assess the DOE's decisions and ensure accountability in the allocation and use of funds.