Oregon — Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a new lawsuit challenging federal energy grant terminations, adding to more than 50 suits against the Trump administration.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield announced a new lawsuit this week challenging the Trump administration’s termination of more than $125 million in federal energy-related grants awarded to Oregon State University.
The suit, filed in coordination with 12 other states, names the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Secretary Christopher Wright, and the Office of Management and Budget. It argues that the administration unlawfully canceled congressionally authorized funding created under the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The grants at issue include approximately $115 million for grid edge computing and distributed energy integration research, $8 million for offshore wind resource assessment, and $2.5 million for a community-focused offshore wind study to research “how rural coastal communities understand and experience energy development.” The funding supported research and workforce development activities at Oregon State University and partner organizations.
Rayfield’s office contends that federal agencies do not have authority to rescind funding appropriated by Congress without following formal procedures under the Administrative Procedure Act. The complaint asks the court to declare the terminations unlawful and to block further cancellations of similar awards.
Federal officials have not yet publicly responded to the lawsuit. The administration has previously argued that it is reviewing certain climate and infrastructure programs for compliance with current policy priorities and fiscal oversight standards.
The filing adds to a growing number of legal challenges Oregon has brought against the Donald Trump administration since the start of his current term. According to prior reporting and statements from the attorney general’s office, Oregon has filed more than 50 lawsuits against the federal government over issues ranging from immigration and environmental regulations to funding disputes and emergency authorities.
The latest case continues a pattern of multistate litigation in which Oregon joins other Democratic-led states in challenging federal policy decisions in court. Whether the funding will ultimately be restored will depend on federal court rulings in the coming months.
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