A coalition of nonprofits that was awarded $7 billion through an EPA climate fund set the stage for litigation Tuesday, demanding that EPA release the money or explain its legal basis for keeping it frozen.
Climate United says it has been shut out of a bank account holding the money since Feb. 18 and cannot access the funds it was awarded in August. The group says it has received no explanation for the freeze from either EPA or Citibank, which administers the funds.
“Climate United has sought information on why its funds are being frozen and has been stonewalled at every turn,” coalition attorney Adam Unikowsky of Jenner & Block wroteto EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.
Seven other nonprofits that received money through the $20 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund also cannot access their money but didn’t join Climate United’s letter. The program aims to expand lending in sectors such as renewable power and building efficiency.
