• Over $100 billion in grants from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have been awarded by the Biden administration to advance clean energy and climate resilience.
• The milestone secures funding for renewable energy projects and sustainability initiatives, even amid political uncertainty.
• Republican-led states are among the primary beneficiaries of the IRA’s investments.

The Biden administration has reached a significant milestone by awarding more than $100 billion in grants from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), President Joe Biden’s signature climate legislation. This achievement comes as the administration works to deploy clean energy solutions ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s term. Trump has pledged to rescind any unspent IRA funds upon taking office.

“Crossing the milestone of $100 billion awarded shows just how quickly we’re getting these funds out the door and into communities so they can make a real difference for the American people,” said John Podesta, Biden’s senior advisor for international climate policy, in a statement to Reuters.

Protecting Funding Amid Political Shifts

The Biden administration has focused on “obligating” over 80% of available IRA grant funding by the end of Biden’s term. According to a senior official, this step ensures the funds are legally protected under contract law, making them more difficult to reverse through political intervention.

“When funds are obligated, they are protected,” the official said. “They are subject to the terms of the contract, so when those contracts are signed and executed, this becomes a matter of contract law more than a matter of politics.”

The IRA also provides long-term tax incentives for clean energy, including wind and solar projects. Rescinding these subsidies would require congressional action, adding another layer of protection for the law’s incentives.

Major Beneficiaries and Recent Grants

The IRA has funneled billions of dollars into renewable energy projects across the United States, with Republican-led states receiving a substantial share of the benefits. This includes funding for carbon capture, clean hydrogen, and renewable energy installations, which have garnered bipartisan support in some cases.

Among the recent grants that pushed the funding over the $100 billion mark are:

• A $119 million contract to electrify five federal buildings in the D.C. region.
• $147 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to enhance climate-related fisheries data collection.
• $256 million in Rural Energy for America Program grants and loans to boost renewable energy in rural areas.

In August, 18 Republican House members wrote to House Speaker Mike Johnson urging him not to eliminate the IRA’s incentives, citing the risk of jeopardizing major investments already underway.

Looking Ahead

As the Biden administration races to solidify its climate legacy, the IRA’s grants and tax incentives will continue to play a pivotal role in advancing the U.S. clean energy agenda. Whether these initiatives will endure under the incoming Trump administration remains to be seen, but the groundwork laid by the IRA has already reshaped the country’s energy landscape.

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