The Trump administration has terminated $156 million in federal funding for a Michigan solar panel program aimed at helping low-income households.
The termination is part of the EPA’s decision to cancel the $7 billion grant program, launched under former President Joe Biden, to help pay for residential solar projects for more than 900,000 low-income U.S. households, aimed at lowering energy bills.
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According to Michigan EGLE, the State of Michigan was obligated $156.1 million in federal funds to provide direct financial investment for rooftop solar, community solar, energy storage, and enable upgrades, as well as workforce development, community education and outreach, and technical assistance.
Michigan EGLE director Phil Roos released this statement after the department was notified of the grant decision on Tuesday:
“The state’s MI Solar for All Program would significantly reduce energy costs for thousands of Michigan residents, providing an average savings of $400 per family per year while creating approximately 700 high-quality local jobs, boosting the state’s economy and supporting American businesses. By increasing Michigan’s energy independence, the program also builds resilience against power outages and extreme weather events. Regrettably, the EPA wants to retroactively cut funding for this vital program at a time when such initiatives should be prioritized. We are currently working with Michigan’s Attorney General to determine our next steps.”
Solar, a renewable energy, is widely regarded as a way to introduce cleaner power onto the electrical grid and lower energy bills for American consumers.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement on social media that authority for the solar program was eliminated under the tax-and-spending law signed by Trump last month. It eliminated the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, approved under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, that set aside $20 billion for community development projects to boost renewable energy and an additional $7 billion for the solar program.
“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,″ Zeldin said. “Today, the Trump EPA is announcing that we are ending Solar for All for good, saving US taxpayers ANOTHER $7 BILLION!”
Only $53 million of the $7 billion awarded has been spent, according to a tally by the research firm Atlas Public Policy. Several grant recipients this week said their programs were in planning phases.