Attorney General Charity Clark has joined a group of 13 attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration over its decision to terminate funding for federal energy and infrastructure programs. The lawsuit targets actions taken by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which resulted in billions of dollars in awards being withdrawn across the country, including more than $3 million that had been allocated to the University of Vermont.
The complaint argues that the termination of these congressionally created energy programs violates both the separation of powers and the Administrative Procedure Act. The coalition is asking the court to permanently block further interference with these initiatives.
“Again and again, the Trump Administration illegally terminates grants created by Congress in violation of our Constitution,” said Attorney General Clark. “President Trump wants to stifle renewable energy generation because he is living in the past. Renewable energy will give Vermont communities, which have suffered from climate-related flooding, a brighter and more resilient future. In filing this lawsuit, I’m fighting for our democracy and our future.”
According to information released with the suit, President Trump signed executive orders on his first day in office declaring a “national energy emergency” and ending what he called the “Green New Deal.” Following these directives, DOE identified several funded projects as part of a list targeted for review and eventual elimination. In May, DOE issued a memorandum stating it would re-examine previously awarded projects through an unclear process described as a “review.”
In September, OMB Director Russell Vought posted on X (formerly Twitter) that nearly $8 billion in what he called “‘Green New Scam’ funding” would be terminated. He specified that defunded projects were located in 16 states that generally vote Democratic. The next day, DOE confirmed it would cut funding according to its earlier policy memo from May 2025.
Vermont was among those affected; nearly $3.4 million intended for renewable energy research at UVM was canceled as part of these cuts.
Other states joining Vermont in this legal action include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Wisconsin.
A copy of the complaint can be found on the Vermont Attorney General’s website.
