Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios
Biden officials are trying to reassure nervous loan applicants and investors that its energy and climate priorities will endure in the second Trump administration.
Why it matters: The administration has awarded 90% of IRA funds available to spend — more than $100 billion, White House climate adviser John Podesta said Wednesday at a DOE-hosted conference.
- President-elect Trump has pledged to halt unspent funds and roll back Biden's climate agenda, which could tie up the DOE's Loan Program Office.
What they're saying: "We know that the next four years will bring a lot more uncertainty to federal clean energy policy," Podesta said.
- "But this is not the end of our fight for a cleaner, safer planet" because the private sector recognizes the importance of meeting the moment, he said.
- But Podesta nodded to potential LPO changes: "We need Jigar [Shah, LPO's chief] to keep shoveling money out the door right up until Jan. 20."
More than 1,800 registered attendees — triple the size of last year's inaugural event — are bumping elbows with energy officials for two days this week at Deploy24.
- "Those of us who have done project development for a whole life know that the process is never smooth," said David Crane, undersecretary for infrastructure, in opening remarks. "There are speed bumps that have to be surmounted, obstacles that have to be overcome."
