Part 2/8:
A prominent part of the hearing involved a series of inquiries that pointed to a troubling lack of oversight and due diligence in the allocation of substantial funds. Senators questioned how the DOE was able to vet and process such a vast amount of money without a robust review of business plans and financial solvency from the recipients of the loans. The Secretary of Energy confirmed that many of these entities lacked any substantial business plans or financial documentation, raising serious questions about the decision-making process within the department.