Planned electric grid improvements, home-energy rebate program both shelved indefinitely

The costs to Georgians of President Trump’s indiscriminate slashing of federal funding continue to pile up. Georgians will likely pay higher energy costs thanks to Trump slashing funding for upgrades and modernization projects for Georgia’s aging power grid that would have improved efficiency and saved ratepayers money. 

Despite Congress having already authorized funding to modernize Georgia’s grid technology – and two federal judges ordered the Trump administration to administer them – Trump has given Elon Musk free rein to hold the taxpayer money hostage, forcing Georgians to pay the price. 

“Congress has authorized and appropriated a billion dollars to upgrade Georgia’s energy infrastructure and help Georgians pay their heating bills, and now that’s rotting on the vine because Donald Trump invited Elon Musk to turn the United States Treasury into a meme joke,” said DPG spokesman Dave Hoffman. “Musk spent $288 million to elect Trump, which was all it took to get a blank check to wage a chaotic, reckless, and almost assuredly illegal blitzkrieg against every part of our federal government and every person who depends on its services.” 

The freeze has also indefinitely shelved a federally-funded home energy rebate program set to launch next month. Qualifying Georgians would have been eligible for up to $16,000 in reimbursements on items including appliances, insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling, and other energy saving home improvements. 

Georgians serviced by Georgia Power, the state’s largest utility with 2.7 million ratepayers, have been hurt the most by Trump-Musk’s indiscriminate slashing of federal spending. They’ve already faced six rate hikes since the beginning of 2023 to pay for grid improvements, fuel costs, and other expenses; with the freeze delaying these projects indefinitely, they’ve shelled out for grid improvements that have not — and may never — materialize.