Last month, we were disappointed to learn that the EPA moved to terminate the highly-anticipated Solar For All program. Designed to increase solar energy access for low-income households, the Solar For All program promised to expand the benefits of solar to disadvantaged communities across all 50 states, US territories and Tribal Nations.
The Solar for All program, which was already underway, was designed to deliver a variety of benefits, including jobs and significant electricity bill savings to nearly one million American households in rural, urban, and Tribal communities. The People’s Solar Energy Fund is a sub-recipient under the Community Power Coalition’s Powering America Together award, one of 60 Solar For All program awards. Even with the attempted termination, PSEF is committed to ensuring access to renewable energy options and funding remains available.
In a statement to member organizations, PSEF’s Executive Director Mmakgantsi Mafojane shared that the organization will continue to advocate for the program and its outcomes. She highlighted that program activities were geared towards empowering underserved communities most burdened by rising electricity costs. Ultimately, these activities would build more resilient communities by developing community-owned solar projects as a pathway to local wealth-building via good green jobs, and small business opportunities.
“While this news is deeply disappointing, we will continue to advocate for the program and its proposed benefits,” Mafojane wrote. “PSEF was founded to ensure that communities have access to the resources necessary to build towards their own resilience and collectively navigate funding challenges. We remain committed to this mission and no matter the outcome of the program, we will keep moving forward.”
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