Cape News

U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has sent a follow-up letter to the Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright, urging the termination of a $4.9 billion federal loan for the Grain Belt Express transmission line project. Senator Hawley expressed concerns over what he described as an "elitist land grab" affecting Missouri farmers and ranchers.

In his letter, Senator Hawley stated, “I write to you once again to urge the termination of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) $4.9 billion conditional loan to the green-energy Grain Belt Express (GBE) transmission line.” He pointed out that while 24 awards from the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations were recently terminated due to their failure to meet energy needs or economic viability, the GBE loan remains active.

Hawley highlighted previous communications with DOE regarding this issue, mentioning a lack of response following his March 25, 2025 inquiry about DOE's progression with the Draft Environmental Impact Statement process for approving the loan.

He also referenced comments made by Secretary Wright during a House hearing: “It is deeply concerning how billions of dollars were rushed out the door without proper due diligence in the final days of the Biden administration.” Agreeing with this sentiment, Hawley criticized what he called last-minute approvals under Biden’s administration and urged action against further funding for projects like Grain Belt Express.

Senator Hawley concluded by emphasizing urgency in terminating all agency actions related to this loan: “Now is the time to act. I urge you to immediately terminate all agency actions related to the Department of Energy’s $4.9 billion loan to the Grain Belt Express.”

The letter requests answers from Secretary Wright by June 30, 2025, on why DOE has not yet canceled this conditional loan and whether there are plans to terminate it altogether.