Story perspectives

Judge Orders DOE to Restore $28M in Clean Energy Grants

1/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

A federal judge ruled in favor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and clean energy groups, ordering the Department of Energy (DOE) to restore nearly $28 million in grants.
Judge Amit Mehta determined that the DOE's cancellation of funds for projects in states that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 violated the Fifth Amendment's equal protection clause.
The ruling affects seven plaintiffs and may influence other grant recipients, while the DOE has not indicated whether it will appeal the decision.

History

Historical Context

The ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment in 1868 established equal protection under the law, shaping future legal interpretations. Judge Amit Mehta's recent ruling emphasized this amendment, asserting that the Department of Energy's $28 million grant cancellation violated protections for states supporting Kamala Harris. This decision reflects ongoing tensions between federal funding and political affiliations, potentially setting a precedent for equitable treatment in federal grant distribution.

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Story summary

A federal judge ruled in favor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, and clean energy groups, ordering the Department of Energy (DOE) to restore nearly $28 million in grants.
Judge Amit Mehta determined that the DOE's cancellation of funds for projects in states that voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 violated the Fifth Amendment's equal protection clause.
The ruling affects seven plaintiffs and may influence other grant recipients, while the DOE has not indicated whether it will appeal the decision.

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