This $400B Biden climate program is surviving the Trump administration

In March 2026, Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced a major overhaul of the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO), renaming it the 'Energy Dominance Financing' program. Wright claimed to have canceled or revised approximately 80% of the $100 billion loan portfolio inherited from the Biden administration. However, former LPO director Jigar Shah and other officials dispute these claims, stating that many 'canceled' loans were actually borrower-led withdrawals or projects that had already stalled. Despite the rhetoric, the office continues to advance major projects, including a $26.5 billion loan to Southern Company for nuclear and grid upgrades. New leadership under Greg Beard is shifting the office's focus toward nuclear energy, critical minerals, and natural gas—the latter of which became eligible for funding following the passage of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act'. The program now faces a statutory expiration date of September 30, 2028.