House Oversight Chairman Expands Investigation into $20 Billion Biden EPA Grants Amid Allegations of Mismanagement

House Oversight Chairman Expands Investigation into $20 Billion Biden EPA Grants Amid Allegations of Mismanagement

EXCLUSIVE REPORT: House Oversight Chairman James Comer is intensifying his investigation into the Environmental Protection Agency under former President Joe Biden. The inquiry revolves around the agency’s decision to distribute $20 billion in grants to various non-governmental organizations, raising concerns about the transparency and motives behind these allocations.

Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, has formally requested that eight NGOs, which collectively received these significant grants, provide comprehensive information regarding the funding’s usage, as well as details about their leadership and compensation structures.

Background of the Grants

The substantial $20 billion amount was allocated from two major initiatives that were established following the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. These initiatives aimed to support organizations and nonprofits dedicated to enhancing projects within underserved communities. In a surprising move, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the intention to terminate these programs earlier this month. However, this decision is currently embroiled in legal proceedings.

Claims of Misappropriation and Lack of Oversight

Comer asserted that the Biden EPA devised a plan to circumvent oversight by funneling funds through a financial institution. He stated, “The Biden EPA attempted to evade scrutiny by orchestrating a dubious arrangement with a financial entity, enabling its self-serving actions that disproportionately benefitted political allies championing an extreme environmental agenda.” He emphasized the need for accountability from these groups that have profited from the initiatives funded by taxpayers.

Critics, primarily from the Republican Party, claim that the $20 billion was strategically allocated to an external financial institution to obscure its management and spending. Under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program, eight groups received financing from the National Clean Investment Fund, which amounted to $14 billion, alongside the $6 billion earmarked for the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator.

Groups Under Scrutiny

The eight organizations that received letters from the Oversight Committee include Climate United, Coalition for Green Capital, Power Forward Communities, Opportunity Finance Network, Inclusiv, Justice Climate Fund, Appalachian Community Capital, and Native CDFI Network. Notably, Power Forward Communities, which is affiliated with Stacey Abrams, received a grant of $2 billion. This organization aims to enhance efforts around environmental sustainability by enabling lower-income households to replace outdated appliances with greener options.

Financial Concerns Raised

In a dramatic assertion, Zeldin highlighted that Power Forward Communities reported a mere $100 in revenue for the year 2023, yet astonishingly received a $2 billion grant in 2024. He pointed out inconsistencies in the grant agreement, criticizing how the organization was expected to allocate such a substantial sum within a restrictive 21-day period, despite requiring training on budget management. He remarked, “Any organization seeking training on budget management should not be in charge of dispersing funds, particularly not on such a large scale in a brief timeframe.”

Investigation into Conflicts of Interest

Additionally, Zeldin revealed that the EPA has uncovered allegations of a possible conflict of interest involving a $5 billion payment to a former director of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund appointed during Biden’s presidency. He argued that the upfront distribution of these funds essentially implies favoritism towards political affiliates. According to Zeldin, “This money was allocated without appropriate scrutiny; it was essentially handed out to their ideological supporters on the left.”

Ongoing Investigations

The Environmental Protection Agency’s acting inspector general is currently conducting an investigation into the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, focusing on issues related to financial mismanagement, potential conflicts of interest, and lapses in oversight. As part of these inquiries, the Oversight Committee initiated its investigation in February and has sought updates from Zeldin on this ongoing situation.

Moreover, the FBI has entered the investigation, looking into possible criminal acts linked to the alleged mismanagement of funds.

As of the time of this report, Fox News Digital reached out to the eight organizations for comment regarding Comer’s requests, yet no responses were available for publication.

This report was contributed by Landon Mion from Fox News.