Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
DALLAS, TEXAS (April 23, 2024) - The Biden-Harris Administration has announced that the state of New Mexico will receive over $156 million to deliver residential solar, lower energy costs, and advance environmental justice. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that the New Mexico Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department is the recipient of this significant funding through the Solar for All grant competition.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, "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 also emphasized that the selected projects will not only create job opportunities and save on energy costs but will also contribute to cleaner air and the fight against climate change.
The grant awarded to New Mexico is part of the larger $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, established under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. This fund aims to reduce energy costs for families, create employment opportunities in underserved communities, promote environmental justice, and address the climate crisis.
The New Mexico Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department, along with its partners, will use the funding to develop sustainable solar programs that enable low-income and disadvantaged communities to access distributed residential solar. The program will focus on expanding access to shared solar, supporting grid resilience, and providing financial options for solar projects to alleviate energy burdens for households.
The Solar for All program aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to direct a significant portion of federal climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities. The ultimate goal is to achieve a carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035 and a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
In addition to the benefits for communities and the environment, the Solar for All program is expected to generate over $350 million in annual savings on electric bills for overburdened households. This investment is projected to reduce 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and unlock over four gigawatts of solar energy capacity for low-income communities over the next five years.
Furthermore, the initiative will contribute to the creation of an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country, with a focus on promoting equitable pathways into clean energy employment. By engaging with local and national unions, the selected applicants aim to establish a foundation for a clean energy economy based on strong labor standards and inclusive economic opportunities for all American communities.
The EPA anticipates finalizing the awards to selected applicants in the summer of 2024, with projects set to commence in the fall and winter of the same year. The selection process involved a thorough review by experts from various government agencies, ensuring transparency and adherence to program requirements and evaluation criteria.
As part of its commitment to public transparency, the EPA will host informational webinars, including one focused on the Solar for All program on Monday, April 29, 2024. Interested individuals can register for the webinar on the EPA's website.
The significant investment in residential solar in New Mexico underscores the Biden-Harris Administration's dedication to promoting renewable energy, creating job opportunities, and advancing environmental equity across the country.
