Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a significant investment in residential solar projects in Alaska, aimed at lowering energy costs and advancing environmental justice. Through the Solar for All grant competition, the Alaska Energy Authority and the Tanana Chiefs Conference have been selected to receive $62,450,000 each to develop long-lasting solar programs for low-income and disadvantaged communities.
According to EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller, the funding will be used to "supercharge the deployment of solar power in communities, create jobs, make our power grid more resilient, and lower the cost of energy for every household."
Alaska Energy Authority’s program will focus on deploying solar photovoltaic infrastructure across the state, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and providing access to renewable energy for low-income communities. Additionally, the program aims to stimulate the solar industry in Alaska and mobilize financing for future projects.
Tanana Chiefs Conference will also benefit from the grant, with a partnership formed to provide comprehensive access to solar benefits for Tribal residents in Alaska. This initiative is designed to ensure that all Tribal residents, regardless of their living situation, have the opportunity to benefit from solar energy.
Overall, the Solar for All program, part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, aims to enable over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities to deploy and benefit from distributed solar energy. This $7 billion investment is projected to generate significant annual savings on electric bills and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The program aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to creating high-quality jobs and advancing environmental justice. Additionally, it supports the Justice40 Initiative, which aims to direct benefits from federal investments to disadvantaged communities.
The selection of the grant recipients went through a rigorous review process involving experts from various government agencies. Final awards are expected to be announced in the summer of 2024, with funding for projects set to begin later in the year.
EPA will host informational webinars to provide transparency about the Solar for All program and other related initiatives. Interested parties can attend the upcoming webinar on Monday, April 29, 2024, to learn more about the program and its impact on communities across the United States.
