The Department of Energy’s decision to cancel roughly $8 billion in projects this month will have ripple effects in 49 states and “disproportionately” affect state governments, public universities and nonprofits, according to a new report.
The analysis from the EFI Foundation — led by former Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz — sheds new light on DOE’s Oct. 2 announcement to nix funding for 223 projects, primarily in blue states. Using Treasury, congressional and National Environment Policy Act data, EFI found that $5.8 billion of the awards were contractually obligated through final contracts.
“We are trying to build an information repository” of DOE data, said Alex Kizer, executive vice president at the foundation.
The findings show which industries and regions are most affected by the cuts and renew questions about the legality of DOE’s decision.
