A growing number of rural leaders from Alaska to the Navajo Nation are voicing concern over the Trump administration’s freeze on climate and clean energy funding—dollars previously authorized under major legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Tom Atkinson, head of Kotzebue Electric in Arctic Alaska, was among roughly 50 rural leaders who traveled to Washington, D.C., to ask lawmakers to unfreeze grant money promised for energy storage systems aimed at reducing diesel dependence. “This isn’t about politics,” he said. “It’s about turning on the lights in our homes.”
Many rural communities argue they’re disproportionately impacted by the freeze. From clean energy projects to home weatherization and job training programs, leaders say their towns rely heavily on these funds to combat poverty, retain jobs, and improve infrastructure. Without them, already-struggling communities—many lacking electricity or clean water—could fall further behind.
The administration says it is reviewing whether these grants align with its priorities, while some lawmakers promise to work on unlocking the funds. Still, many rural leaders are leaving Washington with few concrete commitments, raising concerns that partisan politics are stalling vital investment.
As Lenise Peterman, Republican mayor of Helper, Utah, put it: “This isn’t red or blue. It’s about people who need help.”
Few programs possibly to be affected: after school programs, LIHEAP, SNAP/Link, WIC, Weatherization/Home Repair Assistance.
Personal
My daughter attends IPSD D204 and is enrolled in many of the available extra programs the school offers, including Club Hub. However, due to uncertainty with the current administration there has been an end to this program. More could be expected as Illinois has to obey its own law of not being able to be in debt with its budget. Complicating budgeting more, Illinois’ income has been stagnant. This will make Pritzker’s administration have to find a solution that satisfies both not cutting programs while not implementing taxes to supplement current financial uncertainty.
Voting matters. Holding this administration and Congress accountable for hurting Americans.
Should access to clean water, affordable energy, and job training in rural America depend on which political party is in power—or are these the basic rights every American deserves, regardless of zip code?
