Trump's New Law Halts $7bn Solar for All Program, Threatens Renewable Energy Expansion
Groundswell, a non-profit organisation, has been dealt a blow with the termination of a $7bn solar energy grant programme for low-income communities in the United States. The programme, known as Solar for All, was established under former President Joe Biden and had awarded grants to 60 nonprofit groups, tribes, and states since its inception in 2024. The termination follows the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by President Donald Trump in July 2025.
The Solar for All programme aimed to benefit one million households with reduced electricity costs and lower emissions across most states in the United States. However, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has now terminated the programme, citing a lack of authority and funds. Administrator Zeldin confirmed this decision, stating that the EPA can no longer continue the programme. Meanwhile, the US Department of the Interior (DOI) has also retracted its support for the 1GW Lava Ridge wind project in southern Idaho, aligning with President Trump's executive order to halt permitting for wind projects across the nation.
In a separate development, Groundswell had received a $156m grant to help reduce electricity expenses for over 17,000 households in eight Southern states through solar projects. However, the future of this project remains uncertain given the broader termination of the Solar for All programme in the United States.
The termination of the Solar for All programme and the retraction of support for the Lava Ridge wind project signal a shift in the United States' renewable energy policies. The impact of these decisions on the environment and low-income communities in the United States remains to be seen. As the situation unfolds, it is clear that the future of renewable energy in the United States is at a critical juncture.
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