The Energy Department denied the allegations. The grants were for clean energy projects such as new battery plants, electrical grid upgrades, carbon capture initiatives and a $1.2-billion award for California’s nascent hydrogen hub known as ARCHES. Energy Department officials maintain that Wright’s statements were factual. AdvertisementThe Energy Department agreed to formal stipulations in exchange for the plaintiffs forgoing the discovery process, which likely would have meant officials would be deposed. Energy Department officials told The Times the admissions were solely to expedite the litigation.