(DailyChive.com) – Attorney General Merrick Garland is under scrutiny as Congressional Republicans expand an investigation into a green energy scandal tied to the Crescent Dunes solar project in Nevada. This facility, initially hailed as a breakthrough in solar technology, has faced significant issues, including bankruptcy and safety concerns. Now, questions are being raised about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) recent actions to dismiss a lawsuit aimed at recovering taxpayer money tied to the failed project. This investigation is unfolding in light of claims that the DOJ’s actions may shield politically favored entities from accountability.
The investigation gained momentum when Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) wrote to Garland demanding explanations. Gooden’s concerns center around a DOJ motion filed on November 6, 2024—just one day after the presidential election. The motion sought to dismiss a “qui tam” lawsuit, which allows private parties to sue on behalf of the government to recover fraudulently used taxpayer funds. This case involves over $275 million in Treasury grants issued during the Obama administration under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Critics are questioning the DOJ’s timing and rationale. The lawsuit had previously been allowed to proceed in 2023, yet the DOJ reversed course immediately after the election. Gooden’s letter asks whether political considerations influenced the decision, as the outgoing Biden administration has been a strong supporter of green energy projects like Crescent Dunes.
Crescent Dunes has long been controversial. Its innovative design, which uses mirrors to focus sunlight on molten salt for energy storage, has been plagued with technical problems. The plant has underperformed, producing a fraction of its promised energy output. Reports of wildlife being harmed and workers exposed to toxic gases have further tarnished its reputation.
Gooden’s letter calls the DOJ’s dismissal of the case a betrayal of public trust. “The allegations in this case represent not just potential financial fraud but a breach of the public trust,” he wrote, emphasizing that taxpayers have already lost hundreds of millions of dollars.
The congressman demanded answers to several key questions, including whether safeguards were in place to prevent conflicts of interest and why the DOJ claimed that pursuing the lawsuit would burden federal agencies. Gooden also urged Garland to preserve all records related to the case, ensuring full transparency for future investigations.
As Congress intensifies its probe, this case highlights ongoing tensions between traditional energy priorities and green energy investments. The incoming Trump administration has promised to crack down on questionable renewable energy projects, making Crescent Dunes a focal point in this political battle.
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