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GREEN GROUPS CHEER $7 BILLION IN FEDERAL ‘SOLAR FOR ALL’ GRANTS
 
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Jessica Corbett
April 22, 2024
Common Dreams
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_ President Joe Biden marked Earth Day by announcing $7 billion in
federal grants for residential solar projects serving 900,000-plus
households in low- and middle-income communities. _

President Biden announces grants for residential solar projects
serving low- and middle-income communities in Triangle, VA on Monday's
Earth Day. , Jose Luis Magana - freelancer, ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

Climate action advocates on Monday celebrated the Biden
administration's Earth Day announcement that it is distributing $7
billion in Solar for All grants "to develop long-lasting solar
programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to
deploy and benefit from distributed residential solar, lowering energy
costs for families, creating good-quality jobs in communities that
have been left behind, advancing environmental justice, and tackling
climate change."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates
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the awards—which are going to 60 applicants, including states,
territories, tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits—will
fund solar projects that positively impact over 900,000 households
nationwide while reducing 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide
equivalent emissions. The grant competition
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made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Joe
Biden signed
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August 2022.

"The United States can and must lead the world in transforming our
energy systems away from fossil fuels," said Sen. Bernie Sanders
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Biden on Monday to announce the solar grants—$62.45 million in
funding will go to his state—and the Vermont Climate Corps.

"The Solar for All program—that I successfully championed—will not
only combat the existential threat of climate change by making solar
energy available to working class families, it will also substantially
lower the electric bills of Americans and create thousands of
good-paying jobs," noted Sanders. "This is a win for the environment,
a win for consumers, and a win for the economy."

The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation and Indigenized Energy will
get over $135 million to work on solar projects in tribal communities
across five states.

Cody Two Bears, executive director of Indigenized Energy, said that
the award "will serve as a catalyst for tribes and energy justice
communities like ours who are leading the way in building our own
clean energy systems within our lands."

"This is a once-in-a-generation award that will begin to transform how
tribes achieve energy sovereignty," Two Bears added. "The shift from
extractive energy to regenerative energy systems will be the legacy we
leave for our future generations."

Margie Alt, director of Climate Action Campaign (CAC), a coalition of
a dozen national groups, highlighted both the emissions cuts and that
in low-income communities across the United States, "families will see
savings—approximately $400 per household."

"The president also announced the launch of the ClimateCorps.gov—a
new website featuring 2,000 new job listings in climate and
conservation," she pointed out. After years of pressure from
campaigners, Biden in September announced
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American Climate Corps, which was inspired by former President
Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps.

"We're thankful to the Biden administration for making these
priorities a reality," said Alt. "While Republicans in Congress make
every attempt to roll back climate progress, climate champions in
Congress and throughout the administration are standing strong in
their commitment to America's clean energy future; a future where all
Americans have access to clean energy, good-paying jobs in the clean
energy industry, and see direct savings from this clean energy boom."

Paula García, senior energy analyst and energy justice lead at the
Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), which is part of the CAC
coalition, also applauded the awards, saying that "the Solar for All
grant program is a key part of the larger suite of clean energy
investments advanced by President Biden and Congress that will help
the United States combat climate change."

"Directing investments toward low-income and disadvantaged communities
is imperative to ensuring a just transition to clean energy," García
stressed. "If we don't prioritize these populations, we risk
exacerbating historical injustices and piling additional burdens on
those who have been disproportionately affected by environmental
harm."

"The announcement of these grants is an important step forward," she
continued. "While UCS research has shown clearly that more ambition is
needed to meet climate goals, phase out fossil fuels, and advance
environmental justice, the Solar for All program will help create much
needed momentum toward ensuring the many benefits of a decarbonized
economy, including public health protections, reduced consumer energy
costs, and increased energy resilience, are reaching everyone."

Jean Su, who directs the Center for Biological Diversity's Energy
Justice program, similarly said that "Solar for All is exactly the
type of investment the country needs to re-imagine our clean energy
future."

"Broad community-based solar is our brightest hope for protecting
people and our climate from the scourge of fossil fuels," she added.
"These targeted investments mean low-income families get clean energy
that is affordable, resilient, and protects our ecosystems. It's great
to see President Biden jumpstart this landmark program. I look forward
to its expansion, along with steps to curb fossil fuels with a climate
emergency declaration."

Her group and the youth-led Sunrise Movement
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organizations that have long demanded a climate emergency declaration
from Biden, who is reportedly reconsidering
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in the wake of the hottest year
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history and as he prepares for a November rematch against former
Republican President Donald Trump—whose election could mean a surge
in planet-heating pollution, according to
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analysis published last month.

Emphasizing the difference between the Democratic Party and the GOP,
climate reporter David Roberts called
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"amazing stuff that would not happen if Republicans were in charge"
and said, "Thanks Biden!"

_Jessica Corbett is a senior editor and staff writer for Common
Dreams._

* Earth Day
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* solar energy
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* low-income
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* Joe Biden
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* clean energy
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* Jobs
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