Archive · 2 Sep 2025
US Appeals Court Sides with Trump on Climate Grant Termination
Imagine the government gave some money to groups that wanted to help the environment.
The money was supposed to help stop climate change.
Then, a new group of people in charge didn't like the plan and wanted to stop the money from going out.
The groups that were supposed to get the money sued.
A judge initially said the money should be given out.
But a higher court, made up of three judges, said the lower court shouldn't have made that decision.
The higher court said the money situation was more like a contract problem than anything else.
Since it's not about the Constitution, the government could stop the money.
US appeals court ruled in favor of the EPA, allowing termination of climate grants.
The grants, exceeding $16 billion, were intended for non-profit groups.
The grants originated from the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
The EPA cited concerns about fraud and did not align with agency priorities.
The court decision reversed a lower court's preliminary injunction.
- Who
- US Court of Appeals, EPA, non-profit groups
- What
- Ruled in favor of Trump's EPA, allowing it to terminate climate change grants.
- When
- Tuesday
- Where
- US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- Why
- Court decided a lower court lacked jurisdiction and the EPA was within its rights.
Non-Profit Groups
EPA
Grant Funding
Non-Profit Groups
The grants were awarded and should be disbursed.
EPA
The EPA has the right to terminate grants due to lack of alignment with priorities.
Jurisdiction
Non-Profit Groups
The lower court had jurisdiction to rule on the matter.
EPA
The case should be handled by a specialist court for monetary claims against the government.
- Ruling
- US Court of Appeals allows EPA to terminate climate grants
- Grant Amount
- Over $16 billion
- Original Purpose
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Plaintiffs
- Non-profit groups
- Appeals Court Vote
- 2-1
- Judge's Reasoning
- Lower court lacked jurisdiction
- EPA Administrator
- Lee Zeldin