ALEXA ST. JOHN and MATTHEW DALY.

FILE - Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin speaks, Feb 3, 2025, in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

EPA cancels $7 billion Biden-era grant program to boost solar energy

The Environmental Protection Agency has terminated $7 billion in funding for solar programs approved under the Biden administration, including projects for nearly 1 million households in low-income communities. Environmental groups, state departments of energy and other recipients say the EPA’s move is illegal and that the funding has already been disbursed. Solar is a renewable energy that’s widely regarded as a way to introduce cleaner power onto the electrical grid and lower energy bills for American consumers.

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Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy speaks during a news conference to provide a status update on Newark Liberty International Airport at the Department of Transportation in Washington, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.)

Transportation chief seeks to weaken fuel economy standards, calls Biden-era rule ‘illegal’

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy says Biden-era fuel economy standards for gas-guzzling cars and trucks are illegal and moved to reverse the rules. He said Friday that the previous administration “ignored statutory requirements” that barred consideration of electric vehicles when setting standards. Experts say a revised fuel economy rule is likely to lead to increased tailpipe pollution and higher prices for consumers at the pump. Meanwhile, Senate negotiations over a massive budget bill include language that would remove fines penalizing automakers that don’t meet federal fuel economy standards. The two moves together could slow the country’s demand for electric vehicles.

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