M

Bennet, Hickenlooper, Neguse, DeGette, Crow, Pettersen Demand Answers from Trump Administration on Cancellation of Over $600 Million in Colorado Energy Projects

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and Colorado U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen demanded answers from U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) abrupt cancellation of $7.56 billion in energy project funding, including over $600 million in funding for […]

Oct 14, 2025 | Press Releases

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and Colorado U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen demanded answers from U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) abrupt cancellation of $7.56 billion in energy project funding, including over $600 million in funding for 38 Colorado-affiliated projects. In their letter, the lawmakers highlight the harmful impacts the cancellations will have on Colorado’s workforce, economy, and energy costs.

“As a Colorado native, you know firsthand that families, farmers, and businesses across our state depend on affordable, dependable energy to power their homes, grow their crops, and sustain local economies,” said the lawmakers. “Projects like those you have cancelled help protect Coloradans from rising energy costs. According to the Colorado Energy Office, our state could see a 14% increase in peak demand between 2024 and 2031. By cancelling over $600 million in energy-sector funding, much of which directly supported grid reliability, DOE is making it more difficult for Colorado to secure a stable and affordable energy future.”

The lawmakers emphasized the sudden funding cancellations jeopardize private investment in current and future projects and could lead to job losses and higher energy costs. They demanded transparency on DOE’s project review criteria, agency staff input, and analysis of the effects on Colorado’s workforce and economy.

“DOE investments are vital to lowering costs for consumers and maintaining U.S. leadership in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape. In an era where artificial intelligence and data centers are driving a rise in energy demand, we must meet these challenges by investing in responsible and affordable energy solutions, rather than destabilizing them. We urge the DOE to reconsider these cancellations, uphold congressional intent, and reaffirm the federal government’s role in supporting American energy leadership,” concluded the lawmakers.

The text of the letter is available HERE and below. 

Dear Secretary Wright:

We write to express concern about the Department of Energy’s (DOE) October 2nd decision to cancel 321 financial awards, many of which were contractually obligated, totaling $7.56 billion across 16 states. Colorado companies and projects lost over $600 million across 38 awards. These cancellations will result in the abandonment of cutting-edge research and private-sector investments, threatening Colorado jobs and energy affordability.

The cancelled awards represent a wide range of projects across private industry, utilities, universities, state agencies, and rural electric cooperatives. Some funding supports direct investment in world-class university testing facilities, grid reliability improvements, rural cooperative load-management, oil and gas infrastructure upgrades, and dispatchable power for transitioning communities. Other awards support research in areas like innovative material design, battery recycling, and thermal energy storage. These are the types of projects that strengthen America’s energy independence and global competitiveness.

Applicants for these programs underwent rigorous, externally vetted review processes. Many have invested significant private capital, trusting that the federal government would honor their commitments. Some companies now face closure or layoffs as a direct result of these cancellations.

We are concerned about the effect of these cancellations on Colorado’s workforce, economy, and energy costs. As a Colorado native, you know firsthand that families, farmers, and businesses across our state depend on affordable, dependable energy to power their homes, grow their crops, and sustain local economies. Projects like those you have cancelled help protect Coloradans from rising energy costs. According to the Colorado Energy Office, our state could see a 14% increase in peak demand between 2024 and 2031. By cancelling over $600 million in energy-sector funding, much of which directly supported grid reliability, DOE is making it more difficult for Colorado to secure a stable and affordable energy future.

Furthermore, DOE cancelled projects without advance notice and without justification. The timing and scope of these actions raise serious questions about DOE’s review process and ability to ensure public confidence in federal energy programs. Awardees developed projects with broad coalitions across a wide range of stakeholders. Their abrupt termination disrupts these partnerships and risks discouraging future innovation, investment, and collaboration.

To better understand DOE’s decision-making process and to support Colorado entities navigating the appeals process, we request detailed responses to the following:

1. Project Review and Cancellation Criteria. During a recent interview with CNN, you mentioned that a team of 7-8 people reviewed over 2,400 projects, and cancelled projects were found to be either bankrupt, failing to meet milestones, or late in submitting paperwork, stating that there is a “long list of problems” with cancelled projects.

  • For each of the 38 Colorado projects, can you provide details on which of these criteria the project failed and DOE’s full justification for cancellation?
  • What other evaluation metrics did DOE use to review the 2,400 projects you referenced to select these 38 Colorado awards for cancellation?
  • Of the 38 cancelled projects, how many had signed legal contracts in place?

2. Role of Career Staff and Independent Review. Many of the affected projects had longstanding oversight by career DOE staff. They had successfully advanced through DOE’s rigorous merit review Critical Decision (CD) processes, including independent cost and schedule reviews.

  • Were recommendations of career staff, external reviewers, and CD teams incorporated into cancellation decisions? If so, how?
  • How were the 7-8 reviewers selected, and what qualifications were required?

3. Colorado Workforce and Economic Effects. Cutting projects midstream inevitably leads to job losses and the loss of private capital invested in good faith based on DOE’s commitments.

  • Can DOE provide the amount of previously committed public and private sector investment for each project?
  • What analysis did DOE conduct on the workforce, economic, or supply-chain impacts of these cancellations, particularly for projects supporting utilities?

4. Appeals and Restoration. DOE announced that there will be a 30-day appeals process.

  • Can you provide additional details on the specific process and timeline for award reinstatement if an appeal is successful?
  • What are the criteria for project reinstatement?

DOE investments are vital to lowering costs for consumers and maintaining U.S. leadership in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape. In an era where artificial intelligence and data centers are driving a rise in energy demand, we must meet these challenges by investing in responsible and affordable energy solutions, rather than destabilizing them. We urge the DOE to reconsider these cancellations, uphold congressional intent, and reaffirm the federal government’s role in supporting American energy leadership.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and request confirmation of receipt and written responses by October 17, 2025.

Sincerely,

###