EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin ended the federal Solar for All program last week.
The $7B initiative (funded under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund) had been designed to bring rooftop and community solar to low and middle-income households, with a Tribal focus. Zeldin’s action is a $156M loss for AZ tribes.
The funding that had already been awarded will now be revoked, including $25M for the Hopi Utilities Corporation to install solar panels across the Hopi Tribe, $62M to expand access for Tribal nations statewide, and seed projects like Arizona’s first green bank, rural solar-plus-storage systems, and even solar/down-payment assistance for new homebuyers.
The impact is especially painful for Arizona’s Tribal communities, which were on track to gain some energy sovereignty, reduce dependence on outside utilities, and keep more economic activity within their own communities.
Like so many other actions by this administration – Zeldin’s decision will likely be challenged in court. For now, clean, affordable energy for Arizona’s most underserved communities is on hold and contracts canceled.
