The US Department of Energy (DOE) has revoked a $500 million grant initially awarded in December 2024 to National Cement for transforming its Lebec, California plant into the state’s first net-zero cement facility. The $891 million project aimed to produce limestone calcined clay cement, fuel operations with agricultural waste, and capture CO2 for underground storage. It was also expected to generate 20–25 permanent jobs. The DOE cited poor financial viability and weak taxpayer returns as reasons for withdrawing support, part of a broader rollback that saw 24 grants totalling $3.7 billion cancelled. Energy Secretary Chris Wright criticised the previous administration’s ‘lack of due diligence’ in approving the awards. Meanwhile, Steven Nadel of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy called the cancellations ‘shortsighted’ and potentially regrettable. The initiative was among 33 industrial decarbonisation projects funded in 2023 and had already appeared on a DOE watchlist for possible termination earlier in 2025.