On Thursday, August 7th, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the agency’s intent to terminate all 60 grants awarded under the $7 billion Solar for All program—a critical initiative aimed at expanding access to affordable solar energy in historically excluded communities across the country.
The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs strongly condemns this decision. “Ending Solar for All is a direct attack on climate equity and economic justice. It threatens to derail progress for the very communities that face the highest energy burdens, the greatest climate risks, and the fewest resources to adapt,” says CEO Lenwood V. Long, Sr.
This termination could not come at a worse time. Electricity rates are rising in nearly every state, driven by increasing demand from data centers and the strain of extreme heat on the power grid. In some areas, utility bills have surged by more than 30 percent in just the past year—putting additional pressure on families already struggling to make ends meet.
At the same time, extreme heat is becoming more dangerous and widespread. Recent heat waves have shattered temperature records in states like Colorado, Arizona, and Utah, and Alaska issued its first heat warning ever. The need for community-based energy resilience has never been more urgent.
The Solar for All program was specifically designed to meet this moment. Early investments in Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Vermont as well as other CDFIs awarded funds, demonstrate how this vital program will lower costs for families and small businesses, while helping promote local economic development in the places that stand to benefit the most. Now, Administrator Zeldin proposes to block families from realizing these savings by clawing back funds already committed to states, Tribal governments, municipalities, and community organizations.
We urge the EPA to reverse course and honor its commitment to environmental justice. At The Alliance, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring Black-led CDFIs and communities of color are not left behind in the clean energy transition.’
About the African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs: The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs (The Alliance) is a coalition of 120 CEOs of Black-led Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) and mission-driven organizations, comprising loan funds, credit unions, venture capital firms, and non-profit developers. Since 2018, The Alliance’s network collectively services all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a result, members are uniquely positioned to address issues related to housing and access to capital for African American populations and communities. Learn more about The Alliance and its programs at http://www.aaacdfi.org.
