In November, energy groups filed a lawsuit against Sec. of Energy Christopher Wright and other government agencies involved in canceling Department of Energy funding during the 2025 government shutdown. The lawsuit – signed by the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota; Interstate Renewable Energy Council; Connect America; Increase energy; Southeast Community Organization; and the Environmental Defense Fund – alleged that the White House cut off clean energy funding for Democratic-led states. This was a violation of the equal protection clause of the Fifth Amendment.
This week, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ruled that the administration violated the Constitution’s equal protection requirements by withdrawing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal subsidies for clean, affordable energy and transportation projects, based on the states in which the beneficiaries were located. The DOE grants were contingent on funding approved by Congress and were intended to save American families money, reduce air pollution and protect people’s health.
The court concluded that the DOE’s subsidy termination decisions violate the Fifth Amendment, which protects fundamental legal rights, including the right to equal protection under the law. The subsidy terminations were widely publicized on social media by members of the administration, who withdrew the subsidies only in states that did not vote for the current president.
“Plug In America is relieved by the court’s ruling,” said Joel Levin, Connect America executive director. “We look forward to continuing our important work of educating drivers and dealers about the benefits of electric vehicles. During this current affordability crisis, consumers need choices that help lower their household transportation costs, reduce unhealthy pollution and eliminate our dependence on foreign oil.”
“The court recognized that the Trump Dept. of Energy vindictively canceled clean, affordable energy projects that happened to be located in states unfavorable to the Trump administration, in violation of the fundamental constitutional guarantee that all people in all states enjoy equal protection under the law,” said Vickie Patton, General Counsel. Environmental Defense Fund. “The administration’s harmful actions violated the U.S. Constitution, core American values, and basic decency, and imposed high costs on the American people who depend on clean, affordable energy to keep their pockets and healthier lives.”
This week’s ruling ends seven clean energy subsidies, including SolSmart program funds and electric vehicle charging campaigns.
