Oregon Loses $405 Million in Clean Energy Funding as Trump Administration Cancels Grants

The Trump administration has withdrawn 19 grants worth $405 million for energy projects across Oregon to upgrade the state’s aging transmission infrastructure. The grants would also have been used for clean technology manufacturing and energy-efficiency projects.

Critics Say the Move is a Ploy to Punish Opponents of the Federal Government

In a move targeting Democratic states, the federal government announced the cancellation of the grants on Wednesday night. In total, it has withdrawn $7.6 billion in energy grants nationwide, which critics describe as a ploy to punish opponents of the federal government.

Announcing the grant withdrawals, the Trump administration asserts that the projects are inadequate to advance the nation’s energy needs, will not yield a positive return on taxpayers’ investment, and are not economically viable.

The Warm Springs Tribal Community is the Biggest Loser in Oregon

The biggest loser in Oregon is the Warm Springs Power & Water Enterprise, which has lost $250 million in funding to upgrade an aging transmission line installed in the 1960s on the central Oregon Tribal reservation.

Portland General Electric (PGE) would have received $50 million to install smart meters in homes and businesses to prevent power losses during extreme weather conditions. The project would have improved electricity delivery efficiency, a cost-saving measure for customers.

PGE lost a $4.3 million grant to retrofit buildings in a cost-efficiency program featuring cash backs, bill credits, and free customer upgrades

Also terminated is the $4.5 million grant to upgrade sections of the Wheatridge wind-solar-battery project in Morrow County. This first-of-its-kind facility in North America would have utilized the funds to maintain reliable and affordable energy.

Projects to develop Clean Hydrogen Also Lose Out

Projects to develop clean hydrogen across the state have also been targeted. Daimler Truck North America, based in Portland, has lost a $25 million grant to build and test a hydrogen fuel cell truck to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Ballard US, a hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer based in Bend, has lost a $29.8 million grant to establish a manufacturing facility.