The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) is set to benefit from a significant grant of $156.1 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Solar for All grant program. This funding aims to facilitate the development of sustainable solar programs that will enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to access solar power. The initiative is part of the larger $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund established under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act to address energy costs, create employment opportunities, promote environmental justice, and combat climate change.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan expressed, "Today we’re delivering on President Biden’s promise that no community is left behind by investing $7 billion in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities." He highlighted the positive impacts of the initiative, emphasizing the creation of jobs, cost savings for families, cleaner air, and efforts to address climate change.
Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia emphasized the significance of the Solar for All program in delivering clean energy benefits to disadvantaged communities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. She stated, "This grant will help communities across New Jersey access solar power and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while benefiting from programs that will provide good paying jobs."
The Solar for All program is designed to address barriers hindering the adoption of solar energy by low-income and disadvantaged households in New Jersey. The program will focus on various areas such as residential solar, multi-family housing solar and storage, residential-serving community solar, and technical assistance and workforce development. NJBPU aims to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy in underserved communities by serving tens of thousands of households.
The initiative aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to creating high-quality jobs and promoting union participation in the clean energy sector. The $7 billion investment in clean energy is projected to generate an estimated 200,000 jobs nationwide. Additionally, the program contributes to the Justice40 Initiative, ensuring that benefits flow to marginalized communities and supporting the transition to a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035.
The selection of NJBPU as one of the recipients of the Solar for All grant reflects a broader effort by EPA to support initiatives that reduce climate and air pollution, benefit low-income communities, and mobilize financing for affordable solar energy. The program is set to have a significant impact by enabling over 900,000 households in low-income areas to benefit from distributed solar energy, leading to cost savings and reduced carbon emissions.
The Solar for All program represents a crucial step towards achieving environmental justice, advancing clean energy initiatives, and fostering economic opportunities for underserved communities. EPA's commitment to transparency includes hosting informational webinars and engaging with the public to ensure the successful implementation of the program. The selected applicants, including NJBPU, are expected to finalize their projects in the coming months and commence community outreach efforts to launch new programs to expand access to solar energy in low-income neighborhoods.
