Suing to restore promised $7 billion in funding to revolutionize clean energy access
The Trump administration’s move to terminate $7 billion in federal grants isn’t just robbing the South of opportunities to lower bills with clean energy, it’s illegal. SELC is responding with litigation.
We’re asking the court to fix the Trump administration’s huge mistake.
Nick Torrey, Senior Attorney
Our laws and our Constitution prohibit this kind of arbitrary action — that’s why we’re asking the court to stop the federal government’s unlawful termination of Solar for All, and release the funding that Congress already dedicated to this vital energy solution, so thousands of homes can start getting new solar power as quickly as possible.
We’re working with co-counsel from Lawyers for Good Government, Conservation Law Foundation, and the Lawyers Committee for Rhode Island to represent labor groups, nonprofit community organizations, solar companies, and a family from Georgia — all of whom were harmed when the Trump administration cut off Solar for All.
Why did we sue?
Congress created the Solar for All program to “to provide low-income households and disadvantaged communities with savings” on their electricity bills and affordable clean energy through rooftop and community solar programs. The initiative made the cost-saving benefits of solar available to households that previously haven’t had access.
Just as programs were getting off the ground, The Trump administration moved to stop all that work in its tracks.
We are taking the case to court to stop the administration’s unlawful termination of Solar for All and support the people depending on it.
Wide-ranging impacts
The program touched all corners of the country and so did the damage from the administration’s attempts to terminate it. This is why we are representing clients from across the country, including the South.
Solar for All was poised to:
- lower electricity bills,
- create jobs,
- increase access to clean energy in communities nationwide.
“Terminating this program out of nowhere is totally illegal, and it hurts so many hardworking families,” said Senior Attorney Nick Torrey. “We’re asking the court to fix the Trump administration’s huge mistake.”
Examples of consequences our communities are facing on the ground are below.
Sunpath Solar
Sunpath Solar is a Georgia-based solar installer dedicated to helping traditionally marginalized communities access the environmental and economic benefits of solar power.
- Sunpath expected that Georgia’s solar sector would see significant growth from the Solar for All program and was selected as a contractor for SFA installations, so it prepared to expand its business accordingly.
- It may be forced to lay off new hires if the SFA program is not restored.
Rhode Island AFL-CIO
The Rhode Island AFL-CIO is a statewide organization of trade unions representing more than 80,000 people across the state.
- It invested significant time and resources preparing for Solar for All implementation, including coordinating with the state to bring resources to the state to create well-paying jobs that would assist low-income households in accessing solar energy through the program.
- EPA’s blanket termination of Solar for All deprived members of promised opportunities for job training and the creation of hundreds of construction jobs and apprenticeships.
Solar United Neighbors
Solar United Neighbors is a nonprofit headquartered in Washington, DC, that operates in Florida, Texas, Indiana, among other states.
- They support communities working to expand rooftop solar to serve as a community energy resource.
- In Texas, for example, SUN was offering technical assistance to the city of Waco to develop 30 “hub homes,” locations that provide a place for neighbors to go during power outages.