Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) has asked the Trump administration to halt Biden-era climate initiatives to bolster auto manufacturing in the southeastern U.S., particularly in the Lowcountry region.
In a letter released recently, Mace urged the Department of Energy (DOE) to provide funding for the Mercedes-Benz plant modification aimed at producing electric vehicles, claiming this could generate around 800 jobs in her district.
A coalition supporting Trump stated in a letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright that the grant would “ensure that American-made options are available in the commercial vehicle sector.” The project is seeking nearly $300,000 in federal assistance.
This comes as Mace supports a House bill that includes meaningful cuts to the Green Energy Tax Credit, a move met with concerns from several Senate Republicans regarding potential losses in renewable energy funding.
President Trump previously halted funding for South Carolina’s grant program when he cut former President Biden’s climate initiatives earlier this year, all part of a broader effort to reduce government spending.
“We fully support President Trump’s push for financial responsibility in the government, especially to reduce waste,” the letter states. “While we recognize the necessity of such measures, federal investments should still focus on projects that promote economic growth.”
Neither Mace’s office nor the DOE immediately responded to requests for comments.
It remains unclear just how much funding connected to climate initiatives Trump has withheld since his inauguration, particularly since many funds are linked to Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
This stance from Trump isn’t surprising, as he campaigned on reversing the focus on EV development and the related infrastructure, continuing to oppose the green funding initiatives of his predecessor.
Democrats have criticized this approach, which could jeopardize billions in funding, affecting projects in both red and blue states, prompting worry among Republicans in Congress.
This has led to multiple lawsuits against the Trump administration. Recently, farmers and environmental advocates called for a moratorium on grants, including pausing a $300 million initiative aimed at assisting farmers with renewable energy upgrades.
A judge recently ruled against the administration’s decision to withhold funds for EV charging infrastructure.
Despite this, Trump continues to express disdain for climate-related funding, referring to green tax credits within the GOP’s proposed legislation as “huge scams.” He reiterated this sentiment in a social media post over the weekend.
The Senate’s approach to climate funding appears to be less aggressive than that of the House. The upper chamber is expected to present its version of the bill soon, but it still requires House approval.
