The Department of Energy broke the law this year by blocking funds for schools to use more clean energy and energy efficient products, the Government Accountability Office ruled Thursday.
DOE’s decision to withhold the funds violates the Impoundment Control Act, said GAO, a congressional watchdog agency.
“We find that DOE violated the ICA,” GAO said. “Considering that the funds were withheld for policy reasons and the uncertainty of whether DOE has or will resume obligating FY 2025 funds for the Schools Program, we conclude DOE violated the ICA when it delayed the obligation of FY 2025 Schools Program funds.”
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle authorized $500 million for the Renew America’s Schools program in the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law. The funding is available through fiscal 2026.
