Vermont to lose $63M aimed at helping low-income families get solar

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) — Vermont is losing out on millions of dollars aimed at helping low-income households install solar power.

The EPA on Thursday terminated the Biden-era Solar for All program, which was awarded to 60 recipients including states, tribes and regions for investments such as rooftop solar and community solar gardens.

Vermont was given $63 million through the program. Solar advocates say the cuts will harm low-income Vermonters, who will have to turn to more volatile fossil fuel prices.

“We are probably going to have to lean more on natural gas which, you know, prices can really spike and anytime you’re relying on fossil fuels in this world, you’re beholden to price impacts that you can’t protect and you can’t predict,” said Peter Sterling with Renewable Energy Vermont.

Sen. Bernie Sanders, who introduced the program, said Zeldin’s action was illegal. “Solar for All means lower utility bills, many thousands of good-paying jobs and real action to address the existential threat of climate change,″ Sanders said in a statement. “At a time when working families are getting crushed by skyrocketing energy costs and the planet is literally burning, sabotaging this program isn’t just wrong — it’s absolutely insane. We will fight back to preserve this enormously important program.”

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement, “The bottom line is this: EPA no longer has the statutory authority to administer the program or the appropriated funds to keep this boondoggle alive,″ he said. “Today, the Trump EPA is announcing that we are ending Solar for All for good, saving US taxpayers ANOTHER $7 BILLION!”

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