Democrats sound off after Trump ends $1.1B for WA energy, manufacturing projects
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- DOE cancels $1 billion Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub award, halts regional projects
- Democrats call cuts political retribution, cite job losses, higher utility costs
- State prepares legal challenges as administration defends fiscal and energy aims
Democratic officials are condemning the Trump administration for terminating some $1.1 billion in funding meant for energy and manufacturing projects in Washington state.
That includes $1 billion for the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub, which was slated to extend across parts of Washington, Montana and Oregon, Bloomberg first reported. Such hubs are networks of regional hydrogen producers and consumers, plus connective infrastructure like distributors and storage facilities.
The Trump administration’s move was part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) plan to slash $7.56 billion in funding for hundreds of energy projects nationwide. The department has argued that financing them wouldn’t offer sufficient return to taxpayers.
Several other Democrat-leaning states are also seeing climate-related funds terminated, including New York and California.
The news coincides with a White House-imposed pressure campaign for Democratic members of Congress to stop the federal government shutdown. The energy cuts are part of a larger $26 billion funding freeze announced Oct. 1.
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said in a Oct. 2 post on X that the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub “will create a clean hydrogen economy across our region.
“It is outrageous that this administration is using a government shutdown to punish blue states like Washington,” the Democrat continued. “We’re working with the Attorney General’s Office to fight this illegal action.”
McClatchy has reached out to the DOE and Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub for comment.
The state Office of the Attorney General is “absolutely considering our legal options here,” said spokesperson Mike Faulk. He said the latest news is emblematic of the Trump administration’s disregard for the rule of law.
“It also reflects their economic illiteracy with regard to energy production and unapologetic denial of the robust evidence that shows greenhouse gases are unsustainable for our planet,” Faulk continued. “Abundant renewable energy is key to economic growth as well as environmental protection.”
WA Democrats blast Trump over canceled energy funding
U.S. Rep. Suzan DelBene, a Washington Democrat, noted in a Oct. 2 news release that the DOE yanked funding for 11 Washington energy and manufacturing projects, including the hydrogen hub.
DelBene slammed the president for going after states that didn’t vote for him.
“President Trump’s campaign of political retribution continues, and hardworking Washingtonians are now part of the collateral damage,” DelBene said. “This politically motivated claw back of funds will result in significant job losses and increased utility bills in our state.”
Russell Vought, chief of the Office of Management and Budget, teased DOE’s nearly $8 billion in cuts in a Oct. 1 post on X. The Trump ally listed states set to lose federal dollars for “Green New Scam” projects — all of which voted for Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election.
This isn’t the first time that Trump and company have been accused of going after blue states. Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington called out the administration in May over its plan to revoke hundreds of millions of dollars in construction-project funding in blue states.
Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement that President Donald Trump has vowed to safeguard taxpayer money and expand the country’s supply of secure, affordable and dependable energy.
“Today’s cancellations deliver on that commitment,” Wright continued. “Rest assured, the Energy Department will continue reviewing awards to ensure that every dollar works for the American people.”
The DOE has said it would unravel 321 financial awards bolstering 223 projects.
U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, a Washington Democrat, called the Trump administration’s decision to gut the $1 billion earmarked for the Pacific Northwest hub “senseless.”
She railed against the move as a “politically motivated attack” on a bipartisan project expected to generate billions of dollars in economy-strengthening investments and create thousands of good-wage jobs.
“At a time when rising prices are already squeezing families across the country, this action hits Washington consumers hard by increasing utility bills and kneecapping U.S. competitiveness in the global energy race,” she said in the Oct. 2 statement.
Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, a Republican, has also previously praised the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub, which he said would create high-quality jobs in his state.
Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom blasted the Trump administration for nixing $1.2 billion meant for the hydrogen hub in California.
“In Trump’s America, energy policy is set by the highest bidder, economics and common sense be damned,” Newsom said in a statement.
This story was originally published October 2, 2025 at 2:22 PM with the headline "Democrats sound off after Trump ends $1.1B for WA energy, manufacturing projects."
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