Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
Today, the Virgin Islands Energy Office (VIEO) has been chosen to receive approximately $62.5 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Solar for All grant program. According to EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan, this funding will go towards investing in solar energy projects for over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Regan stated, “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.”
Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia emphasized the importance of the Solar for All program in delivering clean energy benefits to disadvantaged communities, stating, "Solar for All delivers on EPA’s commitment that climate justice means delivering clean energy benefits to disadvantaged communities at the forefront of tackling climate change.”
The Solar for All program, part of the historic $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, aims to lower energy costs for families, create good-quality jobs, advance environmental justice, and combat the climate crisis. VIEO plans to use the funding to support residential and residential-serving community solar and power storage projects in the U.S. Virgin Islands. By expanding the accessibility of solar power to underserved residents, the new Virgin Islands Solar for All Program has the potential to transform the residential energy landscape of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The EPA estimates that the Solar for All program will enable over 900,000 households in low-income communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy, resulting in over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for these households. Additionally, the program is expected to reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions over five years.
Furthermore, the Solar for All program 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 around 200,000 jobs across the United States and expand equitable pathways into family-sustaining jobs for communities in need.
The selected applicants of the Solar for All program are dedicated to reducing climate and air pollution, delivering benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities, and mobilizing financing to promote the deployment of affordable solar energy. The program also contributes to President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, ensuring that investments flow to marginalized and overburdened communities.
The EPA will be finalizing awards to the selected applicants in the summer of 2024, with projects set to commence through existing programs and community outreach initiatives later in the year. The Solar for All program represents a significant step towards achieving a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
For those interested in learning more, the EPA will be hosting informational webinars, including a Solar for All webinar on Monday, April 29, 2024. Registration details can be found on the EPA’s website.