Grant Program for Solar Energy Announced at $7 Billion

• The EPA announced a grant program for solar energy totaling $7 billion.
• This program is designed to support low-income households.
• The EPA's decision has sparked legal disputes and criticism from senators.

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Thursday announced a grant program totaling $7 billion, which is intended to finance solar projects for nearly 900,000 low-income households in the U.S.

This decision marks yet another step by the Trump administration that aims to transition the country to cleaner energy.

The funding, which is part of the "Solar for All" program initiated by President Biden, has been allocated to 60 recipients, including states, tribes, and regions, for investments in projects such as solar panels on rooftops and community solar gardens.

Solar energy, as a renewable energy source, is considered a way to introduce clean energy into the electric grid and reduce bills for consumers.

EPA Administrator Lisa Feldman stated on social media that the allocations for the program were made under a tax and spending law signed last month by President Trump. This law mandated the Fund to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, as confirmed under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Feldman added: "Importantly: the EPA no longer has legal authority for administering the program or allocated funds for its support, which still amounts to $7 billion for tax credits in the U.S."

Senator Bernie Sanders, who initiated the "Solar for All" program, called Feldman's actions illegal, asserting that the program ensures reduced spending on electricity, new jobs, and real actions to combat climate change.

The EPA agency previously froze grants, and then canceled agreements that were financed by the "green bank" fund. Feldman considers these actions "an obvious case of waste and abuse."

Grant recipients filed lawsuits, accusing these actions by the administration, and courts upheld the decision that the EPA cannot freeze contracts.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a leading Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, called the cancellation of the program a betrayal that undermines the value of electricity and makes the electric grid less reliable.

Tags: USA/Politics/Energy