The Energy Department announced Wednesday that it plans to recover $13 billion in unspent climate funds. The money was initially set aside under President Joe Biden’s green energy agenda.
In a press release, the department said it intends to “return more than $13 billion in unobligated funds initially appropriated to advance the previous Administration’s wasteful Green New Scam agenda.” These funds had not yet been assigned to specific projects. They were expected to subsidize wind and solar development as well as electric vehicle programs.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed the move during The New York Times’ Climate Forward event. He said the funds “hadn’t been assigned to projects yet.”
Wright argued that redirecting the money reflects a broader shift under President Donald Trump to scale back expensive green spending. The administration is now focused on more reliable energy sources.
“The American people elected President Trump largely because of the last administration’s reckless spending on climate policies that fed inflation and failed to provide any real benefit to the American people,” Wright said. “By returning these funds to the American taxpayer, the Trump administration is affirming its commitment to advancing more affordable, reliable and secure American energy. It is also showing it will be more responsible with taxpayer dollars.”
The $13 billion targeted for return is part of a larger pool of “unobligated funds.” This refers to federal money approved by Congress but not yet committed to any project. Wright noted that while such funding is common, this administration is taking deliberate steps to reverse climate spending priorities. It is also returning unused money to taxpayers.
Since taking office in January, Trump has prioritized fossil fuels and nuclear power. His administration is moving away from the renewable-focused policies of his predecessor. One of his first executive orders directed federal agencies to review and eliminate billions in spending on wind and solar projects.
The Energy Department’s announcement follows similar efforts by the Environmental Protection Agency. That agency has also sought to rescind billions in climate funding issued under the Biden administration.
The move signals a broader policy shift aimed at curbing what Trump officials describe as wasteful green subsidies. It also refocuses energy policy on affordability, reliability, and American production.