Earlier this month, Donald Trump and his Project 2025-Climate Change Denying-Clean Energy is Bad-War on Science-Let China take the technological lead Government announced that they were cancelling seven billion dollars worth of Congressionally approved Solar for All grants designed to elevate solar power in this country.
Arizona is slated to receive $156 million in those grants.
Those funds would have provided for many good paying blue and green collar jobs with the added bonus of shifting the Grand Canyon state to a cleaner, more energy efficient economy.
At the time of the announcement, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs said:
“President Trump ran on lowering costs and creating jobs. Gutting Solar for All will do the exact opposite. It makes our air dirtier, our energy bills higher, and our economy weaker. I will continue to fight for the clean and affordable energy future Arizonans want and deserve.”
Today, Governor Hobbs and the Democrats in Arizona’s Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Mr. Trump’s Project 2025 hatchet man-Budget Director, Russell Vought and Environmental Not Protecting the Environment Agency head Lee Zelda calling on them to send the funds Congress approved and the Grand Canyon state has already signed a contract for.
In the letter, they wrote:
“Despite your unilateral claim that the Solar for All program has been terminated, it is clear that the funds for its grant awards remain obligated. During the drafting of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the Congressional Budget Office determined1 that, because these grant funds remain intact, the EPA would recover only $19 million of the $7 billion program. This sum solely represents administrative funds returned to the U.S. Treasury. This analysis from Congress’s budget experts makes clear the actual legal status of the grant awards.”
“Retracting obligated Solar for All funds is an encroachment on Congress’s fiscal authority and a violation of established federal regulations. There is no acceptable reason to abandon commitments already made to the people of Arizona and the country. We demand a full and immediate disbursement of funds that have been properly and legally obligated to grant awardees in Arizona. Anything less would constitute a breach of trust, a retreat from critical energy investments, and a shameful disservice to vulnerable communities that have long lacked access to clean, affordable power.”
In a joint statement from the Governors office, Ms. Hobbs wrote:
“Arizona won this grant and already signed a contract with the federal government. The people of Arizona are counting on the lower costs, cleaner air, and good-paying jobs Solar for All will deliver. Without this program, eligible Arizonans will lose out on an average of 20% in annual energy bill savings per participating household, $11 million to support workforce development programs, and 61 megawatts of new solar deployment. President Trump ran on lowering costs and creating jobs. Gutting Solar for All will do the opposite. I urge the Trump administration to reverse this reckless decision that will make our air dirtier, our energy bills higher, and our economy weaker. I will continue to fight for the clean and affordable energy future Arizonans want and deserve, and will not let the federal government strip the program away from the people of Arizona.”
Representative Yassamin Ansari, the new Congresswoman who actually has a background and knowledge of viable sustainability policies from her work at the United Nations and as a Councilwoman/Vice Mayor on the Phoenix City Council, offered:
“The Trump Administration’s reckless decision to rip away Solar for All funds already appropriated by Congress is disastrous for Arizona’s future. These critical investments must be distributed immediately to protect Arizona’s ability to lower utility bills for families, create thousands of good paying jobs, and deliver long overdue energy independence for tribal and rural communities across our state. In Congress, I will continue to fight to ensure Arizonans have clean, affordable energy, and a strong economy.”
Representative Greg Stanton, whose New Democrat coalition just unveiled a new Sustainability Energy proposal, relayed:
“Arizona families deserve to see the benefits of clean, affordable energy right now—not years down the road. That’s why we’re united in demanding the federal government deliver the Solar for All funds that will create good-paying jobs, lower utility costs, and move Arizona toward a more sustainable future. These resources have been promised and the Trump administration needs to ensure the American people can benefit from clean energy.”
Senator Ruben Gallego conveyed:
“Arizona families are already struggling with rising energy costs, and the Trump administration just made things worse by canceling $156 million in funding meant to help lower energy bills and create good-paying jobs across Arizona. Funding that was already approved by Congress and promised to our state. That money belongs to the people of Arizona. I’m standing with my fellow Arizona leaders in calling on the EPA to reverse this decision and release the funds.”
Senator and Astronaut Mark Kelly, who recently penned an op-ed condemning Trump’s outlandish cuts on N.A.S.A., commented:
“Arizona is a prime spot for energy investments that will create good-paying jobs and lower the cost of utility bills. With so many of these projects coming to the state, cutting funding to solar grants will hurt Arizona families. 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.”
In terms of potential legal action, the Blog for Arizona reached out to Attorney General Kris Mayes office for comment.
Ms. Mayes has recently confirmed that, through her numerous lawsuits against Mr. Trump’s Back to the Gilded Age Government, has resulted in the recovery of $1.5 billion in federal funds earmarked for Arizona.
On the issue of the Solar Grant monies, Mayes spokesperson Richie Taylor said:
“Our office is looking into this issue but I will have to decline to comment further at this time.”
Stay Tuned.
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