In a bid to comply with the Trump administration’s anti-climate agenda, EPA administrator Lee Zeldin tried to unilaterally repeal congressionally accredited funding from local weather applications, together with the Nationwide Local weather Funding Fund (NCIF) and Greenhouse Gasoline Discount Fund (GGRF). In response, one of many recipient coalitions of the GGRF, Local weather United Fund, sued the company and Citibank — a.ok.a. the monetary establishment that homes GGRF deposits — for freezing all funds.
The case is essential as a result of it’s certain to set the tone for related lawsuits, to not point out precedent when it’s finally resolved. However it may be troublesome to comply with the ins-and-outs of weekly updates, which is why Trellis has determined to do it for you.
- Oct. 12, 2023: Local weather United publicizes the submission of a proposal to the EPA for participation within the GGRF.
- April 4, 2024: The EPA publicizes that it has chosen three organizations to disseminate the GGRF, with Local weather United receiving $6.97 billion. (Energy Ahead and the Coalition for Inexperienced Capital are the opposite two.)
- Oct. 1, 2024: Local weather United awards Scenic Hill Photo voltaic $31 million from its Electrical Drayage Truck program.
- Nov. 1, 2024: Citibank is chosen because the keeper of GGRF funds, because of the Monetary Agent Agreements (FAA) between the financial institution, Dept. of Treasury and EPA.
- Nov. 19, 2024: Local weather United publicizes the launch of its $30 million NEXT program.
- Feb. 12, 2025: Zeldin posts on social media that he and his staff “discovered” $20 billion in mishandled taxpayer funds — a snarky reference to the $20 billion NCIF.
- Feb. 13, 2025: In an EPA press launch, Zeldin requires a termination of the FAA.
- Feb. 18, 2025: Local weather United requests funds from Citibank; that doesn’t occur.
- March 4, 2025: Zeldin publicizes that Local weather United’s funds are formally frozen.
- March 8, 2025: Local weather United recordsdata a grievance towards EPA and Citibank with the U.S. District Court docket of the District of Columbia.
- March 10, 2025: Local weather United recordsdata a movement for a brief restraining order towards Zeldin, the EPA and Citibank.
- March 11, 2025: The EPA sends Local weather United a letter of termination, citing the company’s obligation to “safeguard public funds.”
- March 12, 2025: Local weather United, the EPA and Citibank are heard within the U.S. District Court docket for the District of Columbia.
- March 18, 2025: The U.S. District Court docket grants Local weather United a brief restraining order.
- March 31, 2025: The U.S. District Court docket grants Local weather United a seven-day extension on its restraining order.
- April 15, 2025: Federal decide guidelines that the EPA unlawfully froze local weather and infrastructure funds.
- Might 19, 2025: The three entities seem within the D.C. District Court docket of Appeals, with Local weather United arguing that the company ought to proceed to be blocked from unilaterally canceling or rescinding the coalition’s funding.
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