Dallas, Texas – April 23, 2024 – The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a significant investment of $156,129,000 for the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) to spearhead residential solar programs. This grant, part of the Solar for All initiative, aims to empower low-income and disadvantaged communities by facilitating the deployment of distributed residential solar energy systems.
The grant is a key component of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, established under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. Its objectives include reducing energy costs, creating jobs, advancing environmental justice, and addressing climate change.
EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan emphasized the significance 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.”
The Louisiana SFA Program, funded by this grant, will focus on deploying solar, energy storage, and enabling upgrades on single-family and multi-family homes in low-income and disadvantaged communities. It will also facilitate equitable financing options and prioritize community involvement in project planning and deployment.
Louisiana’s grant is among the 49 state-level awards totaling approximately $5.5 billion announced by the EPA. The Solar for All program aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, ensuring that 40% of the overall benefits of federal climate investments reach disadvantaged communities.
The initiative is expected to enable over 900,000 households to benefit from distributed solar energy, resulting in $350 million in annual savings on electric bills and reducing 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions over five years. Additionally, it will create an estimated 200,000 jobs across the country.
EPA anticipates finalizing awards to selected applicants in the summer of 2024, with funding for projects commencing shortly after. The selection process involved a thorough review by experts from various government agencies, ensuring adherence to program requirements and evaluation criteria.
To promote transparency, EPA will host informational webinars, including one on April 29, 2024, for the Solar for All program. Registration details are available on EPA’s website.
The Solar for All initiative exemplifies the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to equitable, sustainable, and inclusive economic development, while addressing the urgent challenges of climate change and environmental justice.
