"The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is solidifying its use of $27 billion in climate funds that have been in GOP crosshairs.

The agency announced that Friday, the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act, which designated the money, it was officially obligating the funds to recipients. These entities can now access the funds, the agency said in a press release.

The move locks in this use of the money, which Republicans have indicated they would try to repeal if they take both chambers of Congress and the White House next year. That becomes much harder if the money is already in recipients’ hands.

In a written statement, EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the funds moved rapidly out of the government due to the urgency of climate change."

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill August 16, 2024. [2]