Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities
** EPA cuts off IRA solar money already under contract
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Thursday, January 30, 2025
Oberon Solar Project in Riverside County,CA; Source: BLM California/Flickr ([link removed])
Despite President Donald Trump backtracking on his broad funding freeze ([link removed]) for federal programs yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency has cut off the distribution of funds ([link removed]) already promised by the government for the popular Solar for All program ([link removed]) .
The $7 billion program was authorized by former President Joe Biden's signature climate bill, the Inflation Reduction Act,
to ([link removed]) fund programs ([link removed]) that provide rooftop solar panels, batteries to store solar energy, and community solar farms. It is managed by the EPA, which expects it to help more than 900,000 low-income households ([link removed]) reduce pollution that drives climate change, as well as reduce energy costs.
The Solar for All program recipients, including state and local government agencies and a few nonprofits, have already signed contracts with the EPA amounting to the full $7 billion alloted by the IRA. According to E&E News ([link removed]) , they received a letter Tuesday informing them that their grants had been paused until further notice. The letter cited ([link removed]) Trump’s “Unleashing American Energy” executive order and said the EPA was pausing “all funding actions related to” Biden-era climate and infrastructure laws.
The solar grants are all obligated, meaning the federal government can’t legally take back any of the funds unless it can prove malfeasance on the part of the recipient, according to legal experts ([link removed]) .
** Interior nominee Burgum moves on to full Senate vote
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The Senate voted yesterday ([link removed]) to close debate on Doug Burgum, Trump's pick to lead the Interior Department. The former North Dakota governor is likely to be confirmed after the 78-20 cloture vote, with 25 Democrats voting in favor. That vote could come as soon as today.
** Quick hits
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Colorado law protects state streams, lakes and wetlands, no matter who is in the White House
Colorado Sun ([link removed])
AI on public lands and Biden’s environmental legacy
High Country News ([link removed])
Appeals court dismisses Alaska oil and gas drilling case
E&E News ([link removed])
Opinion: It’s time to require a bond for each well drilled in NM
Albuquerque Journal ([link removed])
Los Angeles fires underscore activists’ call to make polluters pay for disasters
Truthout ([link removed])
Uranium ore shipments will resume after Navajo Nation, Energy Fuels reach agreement
Arizona Republic ([link removed]) | Salt Lake Tribune ([link removed])
Lawmakers say no to storing nuclear waste in Wyoming
WyoFile ([link removed])
Opinion: We must protect our sacred lands
High Country News ([link removed])
** Quote of the day
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” [Solar for All] is a local economic development program that’s going to touch all corners of our country and deliver energy savings and help communities become healthier and more resilient... So to block these funds from moving forward is really callous and shortsighted.”
—Adam Kent ([link removed]) , director of the green finance program at the Natural Resources Defense Council
** Picture This
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@usinterior ([link removed])
The colors and textures of @brycecanyonnps_gov ([link removed]) in Utah are magical. Water and ice have sculpted the world’s largest concentration of distinctive and mysterious rock formations known as hoodoos.
At 8,000 feet, the scenery changes dramatically in the colder months, providing unique opportunities to see the park and requiring a very different packing list. Review regular closures and regulations, check the forecast and explore how to experience this winter wonderland.
Photo by NPS
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