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The
agency will make up to 60 awards to community groups around the
country representing specific states, Native Americans and
Alaska Natives and multi-state programs.
The grants are part of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction
Fund established by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act,
which aims to infuse "transformational" capital to communities
that have not been able to attract clean energy and
transportation investments and overburdened by pollution.
"This historic boost in solar investments will advance millions
of residential solar projects nationwide, protect people and the
planet, deliver environmental justice," said EPA Administrator
Michael Regan.
Regan announced the launch of the "Solar for All" grant program
in Vermont, where he joined Independent Senator Bernie Sanders
to tour a residential solar project.
The awards will help communities develop low-income solar
programs that will provide financing and technical assistance
like workforce development and ensure that low-income households
receive the benefits of rooftop solar, including household
savings, community ownership and energy resiliency.
The program will guarantee a minimum 20% total electricity bill
savings for households.
Communities have until Sept. 26 to apply for the grants, which
will be available for amounts ranging from $25 million to $400
million.
In the coming weeks, the EPA will also launch a $14 billion
National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) grant competition to
expand deployment of renewable technologies at a national scale
and a competition for the $6 billion Clean Communities
Investment Accelerator, which will bolster funding through
community lenders.
(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici; Editing by Aurora Ellis)
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