Republican Attorneys General Urge EPA to Cut Funding to Environmental Group
Nearly 20 Republican state attorneys general have reached out to the leaders of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urging them to withdraw financial support for a left-leaning environmental organization accused of influencing climate policies through its educational initiatives. Montana’s Attorney General, Austin Knudsen, emphasized the urgency of this matter, stating, “As Attorney General, I refuse to wait while American taxes support radical environmental training for judges across the country.”
Knudsen took the lead in sending a letter to EPA head Lee Zeldin, supported by signatures from 22 other attorneys general. They have expressed concerns over the Climate Justice Project run by the Institute of Environmental Law, claiming it promotes a biased agenda while masquerading as impartial education. In his comments to Fox News Digital, Knudsen praised former President Trump’s efforts to curb wastefulness during his administration and expressed optimism that the current leadership would halt funding for the Institute.
The Climate Justice Project, which was established in 2018, positions itself as an authoritative source for judges on climate science and its implications in law. Critics, however, argue that the project is designed to sway judicial decisions in favor of progressive climate litigation.
The letter sent this week specifically requests the EPA to end all grants awarded to the Institute of Environmental Law, highlighting that approximately 13% of its revenue in 2023—around $637,591—came from the EPA. The involvement of the federal government in supporting this organization raises serious concerns for the attorneys general.
While the Institute of Environmental Law defends its educational programs as adhering to standards set by national judicial education bodies, it remains under scrutiny. The Climate Justice Project is accused of advancing climate change policies through judicial channels, rather than through public discourse.
The American Energy Institute and other prominent organizations have voiced their backing for the attorneys general’s request. Jason Isaac, CEO of the American Energy Institute, criticized the project as a coordinated effort to push the Green New Deal via litigation, stating that taxpayer funds should not be used to develop curricula in such a controversial manner. Similarly, Oh Skinner, the executive director of the Alliance for Consumers, has raised alarms, suggesting that the left aims to reshape American society through legal means.
The recent letter also pointed out legal concerns regarding the Institute’s claims of providing objective training, arguing that it misrepresents reality. Additionally, it flagged how the EPA has been tightening its funding policies under the current administration, emphasizing previous decisions to cut significant grants in an effort to conserve taxpayer dollars.
The Climate Justice Project has faced criticism from lawmakers, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who accused it of being involved in a broader campaign—backed by foreign influences—to manipulate the United States’ legal framework regarding energy control.
