Attorney General Merrick Garland is under scrutiny from Congress as Republican lawmakers ramp up investigations into his Department of Justice (DOJ) over an alleged coverup tied to the Crescent Dunes solar energy project in Nevada. The project, which received hundreds of millions in federal grants during the Obama administration, has been plagued by technical failures, financial troubles, and environmental concerns. Now, questions are being raised about the DOJ’s involvement in a qui tam lawsuit that was abruptly dismissed after initially being supported by the government.
Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX) sent a letter to Garland on Tuesday, seeking clarification on the DOJ’s decision to intervene and dismiss the lawsuit filed by CMB Export, LLC, against Tonopah Solar Energy, LLC, and its affiliates. The lawsuit aims to recover taxpayer funds related to the Crescent Dunes project, which allegedly involved fraudulent claims. Gooden’s letter highlights serious concerns about the DOJ’s sudden reversal of support for the case, particularly after years of investigation and the timing of the dismissal, which occurred just one day after the November 2024 election.
This inquiry marks an expansion of congressional interest in the matter, following Rep. Carol Miller’s (R-WV) previous efforts to probe the issue. According to an exclusive Breitbart News investigation, the DOJ moved to withdraw its support for the lawsuit in early November 2024, just days after former President Donald Trump’s political comeback in the election. Garland’s DOJ had previously approved the lawsuit in 2023, but suddenly filed a motion to dismiss on November 6, 2024, citing public interest and undue burden on federal agencies.
The Crescent Dunes solar project has been a controversial initiative from the start. Utilizing a technology that uses mirrors to concentrate sunlight to heat molten salt, the plant went bankrupt before being re-opened under new ownership. However, it has continued to struggle, producing only a fraction of the energy originally promised. Environmental and safety concerns, such as birds being caught on fire by the reflected sunlight and workers being exposed to harmful gases, have also added to its troubles.
Gooden’s letter stresses that the DOJ’s decision to dismiss the case raises significant questions about accountability and transparency in handling taxpayer money. He notes that the case involves approximately $275 million in grants from the U.S. Treasury under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the sudden dismissal of the lawsuit seems to favor the interests of those involved in the project rather than protecting public funds.
The inquiry is not just about the Crescent Dunes project but about the broader implications for green energy initiatives, which have already cost taxpayers billions. Gooden’s letter questions why the DOJ reversed its stance and whether political motivations played a role in the timing of the decision. He also asked Garland to preserve all relevant documents and communications related to the case, urging transparency in the investigation.
With members of Congress seeking answers, this growing scandal may continue to gain momentum as lawmakers demand accountability for the handling of the Crescent Dunes case and similar green energy projects funded by taxpayers.
