Court Ruled Trump Energy Grant Terminations Were Illegal
A federal judge ordered the release of $53 million in energy grants withheld from Connecticut organizations.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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In October 2025, the Trump administration terminated 284 federal energy grants, including 12 awards in Connecticut totaling $53 million. A U.S. District Court judge later ruled the cancellations were illegal after the administration admitted they were targeted based on political geography.
Why it matters
The blocked funding stalled critical clean energy infrastructure projects across Connecticut, including development for hydrogen refueling and high-tech manufacturing. The legal ruling marks a significant pushback against executive actions that bypassed established grant distribution procedures.
Connecticut recipients lost 12 grants worth $53 million, including $14 million for RTX and $10 million for the Mott Corporation. Additionally, the University of Connecticut held a $2.25 million grant while Linde PLC was awarded $9.5 million for hydrogen infrastructure.
The players
Amit P. Mehta
He is the U.S. District Court judge who presided over the litigation and issued the rulings against the administration.
Russell Vought
He served as the budget director who initiated the strategy to block grants awarded by the previous administration.
RTX
The corporate parent of Pratt & Whitney is a major aerospace and defense company that saw four of its federal energy grants terminated.
Mott Corporation
Based in Farmington, Connecticut, this company was slated to receive a $10 million grant for the development of titanium parts.
Linde PLC
This industrial gas company was awarded $9.5 million to develop hydrogen refueling infrastructure before the grants were cut.
The details
The Trump administration originally defended the termination of the 284 grants as a measure to protect taxpayer funds from waste. However, the administration later conceded that the grants were targeted based on the political identity of the recipients' states.
Timeline
October 2025: The Trump administration ordered the cutoff of energy grants.
January 2026: Judge Amit P. Mehta issued a stipulated judgment declaring the terminations illegal.
June 2026: Judge Mehta issued a second stipulated judgment regarding the case.
July 30, 2026: Thirty-seven senators signed a letter to the Energy Secretary regarding the grants.
September 25, 2026: Senator Richard Blumenthal and Governor Ned Lamont held a press conference regarding the withheld funds.
Roadmap
This case highlights the fragility of federal support for green technology as political administrations fluctuate. The legal rebuke reinforces the necessity of consistent grant frameworks to ensure the long-term viability of the electric vehicle and hydrogen fuel supply chains.
The restoration of these grants provides immediate relief to state manufacturers and research institutions that faced budget shortfalls. Drivers and the local industry may now see resumed development on hydrogen infrastructure and advanced vehicle components that were previously stalled.
The takeaway
The court's decision serves as a reminder that administrative actions affecting federal funding must adhere to established legal and legislative requirements. Organizations relying on federal support should maintain robust documentation and legal readiness to challenge arbitrary funding rescissions.
Further reading
For more on the state of clean energy infrastructure, visit our Electric Vehicles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The CT Mirror.
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