A U.S. federal judge orders the Trump administration to restore energy funds

A court demands that all funding linked to federal energy and climate laws, previously suspended, be immediately put back into circulation. This decision is based on a federal judgment challenging the legality of a freeze imposed by the American executive.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Judge John McConnell Jr., of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, recently issued an injunction requiring the executive branch to release funds initially approved for energy programs. The order targets credits authorized by Congress under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). According to legal documents, the Trump administration allegedly froze part of these subsidies, citing a provisional regulatory framework. Democratic representatives maintain that this suspension deprived several states of financing already validated.

Court orders and official reactions

Attorneys general from multiple states have turned to the courts to challenge the legality of the freeze imposed by the White House. Judge McConnell found that this measure contravened the principle of separation of powers by contradicting congressional authority over public spending. In his decision, he specified that all relevant government agencies, including the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), must promptly restore access to the frozen funds. The federal government’s legal services justified the freeze by pointing to the need to assess the budgetary impact of these laws.

The coalition of Democratic-led states contends that projects under the IRA and the IIJA remained on hold, thus delaying the allocation of essential subsidies to modernize energy infrastructure. Judge McConnell noted that any refusal to implement the injunction would breach the already existing temporary restraining order. Federal authorities contested the scope of this injunction, arguing that certain instructions came under separate executive directives. However, the court reiterated that the distribution of funds was mandated explicitly by Congress.

Budgetary issues and economic implications

Defenders of the executive branch assert that the White House is acting under a broad framework aimed at reorganizing energy priorities. According to sources close to the matter, this approach entails a thorough review of programs focusing on both energy efficiency and infrastructure. Dissenting attorneys general argue that such a freeze directly impedes the release of projected financing, affecting several regional projects already in advanced development phases. Many political leaders now question the exact reach of the court’s order and how federal agencies plan to comply.

The U.S. Department of Justice, representing the executive branch, claimed that the temporary freeze originated from an earlier directive, distinct from the one overturned by the judge. Nonetheless, the ruling specifies that any suspension of financial support based solely on executive action, without legislative approval, violates constitutional principles. Requests from various states to reopen access to federal subsidies have already been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which administers certain aspects of the IRA. The immediate future of these funds depends on strict adherence to the injunction.

The 2025 edition of the Renewable Electricity System Observatory warns of the widening gap between French energy ambitions and industrial reality, requiring immediate acceleration of investments in solar, wind and associated infrastructure.
Kogi State Electricity Distribution Limited reported a ₦1.3bn ($882,011) loss due to power fraud, threatening its operational viability in Kogi State.
More than 40 developers will gather in Livingstone from 26 to 28 November to turn Southern Africa’s energy commitments into bankable and interconnected projects.
Citepa projections confirm a marked slowdown in France's climate trajectory, with emissions reductions well below targets set in the national low-carbon strategy.
The United States has threatened economic sanctions against International Maritime Organization members who approve a global carbon tax on international shipping emissions.
Global progress on electricity access slowed in 2024, with only 11 million new connections, despite targeted efforts in parts of Africa and Asia.
A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.
The US Senate has confirmed two new commissioners to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, creating a Republican majority that could reshape the regulatory approach to national energy infrastructure.
The federal government launches a CAD3mn call for proposals to fund Indigenous participation in energy and infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
Faced with growing threats to its infrastructure, Denmark raises its energy alert level in response to a series of unidentified drone flyovers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.