In a unified front, Arizona's political leaders have publicly called for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Office of Management and Budget to release the promised funds from the Solar for All grant program. Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, Governor Katie Hobbs, and other officials emphasized the grant's significance for Arizona's energy future following the EPA's unexpected decision to terminate outstanding grants as of August 7, as reported by the Senator's Office. The pushback from Arizona's lawmakers came after a successful bid last year by the Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency, which secured $156 million for the program aimed at harnessing the state’s solar potential.
Senator Kelly led the charge, emphasizing that Arizona is an ideal location for transformative energy investments capable of creating jobs and reducing utility bills. "With so many of these projects coming to the state, cutting funding to solar grants will hurt Arizona families," Sen. Kelly said, according to a press release. "The EPA must reverse its decision and immediately distribute the funds allocated by Congress instead of wasting taxpayer dollars, killing jobs, and making it harder for us to meet our energy demand."
Addressing the potential consequences of the EPA's decision, Governor Hobbs underlined the adverse effects it would have on Arizonans, including lost savings on energy bills and jeopardized job opportunities. "Arizona won this grant and already signed a contract with the federal government," Gov. Hobbs stated, highlighting the administration's obligation to reverse the decision. As per the press release, she implored, "President Trump ran on lowering costs and creating jobs. Gutting Solar for All will do the opposite."
In light of the staunch outreach by Arizona's leaders, the fate of the Solar for All program funding remains in the hands of federal agencies. The funds, if released, would contribute to statewide initiatives, including adding 61 megawatts of new solar deployment and facilitating $165 million in bill savings for Arizona residents.
