On May 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the cancellation of 24 clean energy projects, totaling over $3.7 billion in federal funding. These projects, primarily focused on carbon capture, hydrogen production, and industrial decarbonization, were deemed economically unviable and unlikely to provide a positive return on taxpayer investment. The decision has sparked significant debate within the energy sector and among policymakers.

🔍 Full List of Canceled Projects

The following is a comprehensive list of the 24 projects whose funding was rescinded:

ExxonMobil – $331 million for a clean hydrogen project at the Baytown Olefins Plant in Texas .
Calpine Corporation – $540 million for two carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects at the Sutter power plant in California and the Baytown plant in Texas .
Heidelberg Materials US, Inc. – $500 million for a low-carbon cement project in Louisiana .
Eastman Chemical Company – $375 million for a molecular recycling facility in Longview, Texas .
Kraft Heinz Co. – $170 million for decarbonization initiatives across multiple U.S. plants.
Nevada Gold Mines, LLC – $95 million for emissions reduction in gold mining operations .
Sublime Systems – $87 million for a clean cement technology project .
PPL Corp. – $72 million for a CCS retrofit at the Cane Run Generating Station in Kentucky .
Ørsted – $99 million for a clean methanol project in Texas .
Libbey Glass LLC – $45.1 million for an industrial decarbonization project at its Toledo, Ohio facility.
National Cement Company of California – $500 million for a carbon capture project in California .
Sutter CCUS – $270 million for a carbon capture project in California .
Lebec Net Zero Project – $500 million for producing carbon-neutral cement in California.
Baytown Carbon Capture Project – $270 million for a CCS project in Texas.
Eastman Chemical Solar and Battery Installation – $375 million for solar power and battery installations at a recycling facility in Texas.
Heidelberg Materials Cement Decarbonization – $500 million for capturing CO₂ emissions from cement production in Indiana.
ExxonMobil Hydrogen Conversion – $331 million for converting a plastic plant to run on clean hydrogen in Texas.
Calpine Baytown CCS Project – $270 million for a carbon capture project at the Baytown plant in Texas.
Calpine Sutter CCS Project – $270 million for a carbon capture project at the Sutter power plant in California .
Ørsted Clean Methanol Project – $99 million for a clean methanol project in Texas .
PPL Corp. Cane Run Retrofit – $72 million for a CCS retrofit at the Cane Run Generating Station in Kentucky .
Sublime Systems Clean Cement Technology – $87 million for a clean cement technology project .
Nevada Gold Mines Emissions Reduction – $95 million for emissions reduction in gold mining operations .
Kraft Heinz Decarbonization Initiative – $170 million for decarbonization initiatives across multiple U.S. plants .

📉 Market Reaction

The announcement led to a notable decline in clean-energy stocks. Companies in the hydrogen and solar energy sectors, including Plug Power and Sunrun, experienced significant drops in their stock prices. This reflects investor concerns over the future of federal support for clean energy initiatives.

🗣️ Industry and Political Response

The decision has been met with criticism from various stakeholders. Environmental groups and some lawmakers argue that canceling these projects undermines efforts to combat climate change and hampers U.S. competitiveness in clean technology. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) condemned the move, stating it would raise energy costs for American families and undermine the nation’s competitive edge.

Conversely, the DOE maintains that the cancellations are part of a broader strategy to ensure responsible spending and prioritize projects that offer tangible benefits to the American public. Energy Secretary Chris Wright emphasized the need for projects that are economically viable and align with national energy needs.

🔮 Looking Ahead

The DOE is currently reviewing an additional 179 awards totaling over $15 billion in financial assistance. The outcomes of this review could further influence the trajectory of the U.S. clean energy sector and its alignment with national energy policies.