Oklahoma’s Republican delegation in Congress has remained quiet on the Trump administration’s decision to cancel $8 billion in green energy funding. But Republican lawmakers in other states are starting to object, warning that some of the cuts could harm energy innovation and local economies.
GOP senators push to save projects
The administration’s decision last week wiped out funding for hundreds of renewable and carbon capture initiatives nationwide. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the cuts were necessary to eliminate “wasteful or redundant programs” that no longer advanced the nation’s energy goals.
But not every Republican agrees. North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer raised concerns after seeing a list of affected projects, including Project Tundra, a $4.2 million carbon capture and storage retrofit at a coal-fired power plant in his state.
“We determined it’s real — the authenticity of the list,” Cramer told E&E News, confirming that his office is trying to preserve the project’s funding. He described the initiative as critical for maintaining reliable baseload power while advancing carbon management technology.
Unclear communication from DOE
Another Republican, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, said she had also received mixed messages from the Department of Energy.
“DOE told me that the list is just a broad list; there’s no real intent to cancel all those projects,” Capito said. “But some may get canceled, so it’s still just unclear.”
Her state, like Oklahoma, depends heavily on the energy sector for jobs and revenue. Capito warned that canceling projects without clear guidance could create uncertainty for businesses investing in cleaner energy production.
Silence from Oklahoma delegation
So far, Oklahoma’s congressional leaders — all Republicans — have not commented publicly on the funding cuts or how they might affect the state’s growing renewable sector.
Energy observers say the silence reflects Oklahoma’s ongoing balancing act between supporting traditional fossil fuel industries and embracing new green technologies.
SOURCE: Click here for E&E–edited for clarity by Oklahoma Energy Today