Trump Administration Recovers $3.7 Billion in Clean Energy Funding

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced the withdrawal of $3.7 billion in clean energy and manufacturing awards previously granted under the Biden administration. This decision affects both large corporations and emerging startups.

Energy Secretary Chris Wrights stated the move was part of the Trump administration's "due diligence." While the specific reasons for the cancellations remain unclear, Secretary Wrights referenced a memorandum issued on May 15th, suggesting the DOE may utilize its audit authority to rescind the awards.

Impacted Projects

Twenty-four projects are affected, involving companies such as Exxon Mobil, Kraft Heinz, Skyven, Brimstone, and Sublime Systems.

Some of the jeopardized awards include:

  • American Cast Iron Pipe Company (metal manufacturing): $75 million
  • Brimstone Energy (low-carbon materials): $189 million
  • Calpine’s Baytown Energy Center (natural gas power plant): $270 million
  • Calpine’s Sutter Energy Center (natural gas power plant): $270 million
  • Eastman Chemical Company’s Longview Plant (molecular plastic recycling): $375 million
  • Exxon Mobil’s Baytown Olefins Plant (chemical plant): $331.9 million
  • Skyven Technologies (heat pump steam generation): $15.3 million
  • Sublime Systems (low carbon cement): $86.9 million

Company Responses

Sublime Systems expressed surprise at the decision.

Sublime was surprised and disappointed to receive the news about the termination of our Industrial Demonstrations Program award, given the clear progress we've made in scaling our American-invented technology, partnering with some of the Western World's largest cement producers, and generating a bankable customer base.

The startup is currently evaluating its options.

Brimstone remains optimistic about a potential resolution with the DOE.

Given our project's strong alignment with President Trump's priority to increase U.S. production of critical minerals, we believe this was a misunderstanding. Brimstone's Rock Refinery represents the only economically viable way to produce the critical mineral alumina in the U.S. from U.S.-mined rocks.

As the first U.S.-based alumina plant in a generation, our project — which would also make portland cement — would clear a 'mine-to-metal' path for U.S. aluminum production, fortifying the U.S. critical mineral supply chain and creating thousands of jobs.