President Biden marked Earth Day by announcing a $7 billion investment in residential solar projects for low- and middle-income communities. The grants, distributed by the Environmental Protection Agency, target 900,000 households across the country.
Biden emphasized the importance of addressing climate change and criticized Republicans who oppose his environmental policies. He highlighted the success of the Inflation Reduction Act in funding such projects and emphasized the need to protect clean air and water.
The Biden administration also announced plans to expand the American Climate Corps, a green jobs training program modeled after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. The program aims to provide 2,000 positions in partnership with the North American Building Trades Unions.
Biden’s environmental announcements come as he seeks to energize young voters, a key demographic in his 2020 victory. Young Americans are invested in addressing climate change and are eager to support Biden’s agenda, according to administration officials.
The solar grants prioritize states, Native American tribes, and multi-state partnerships. They will fund investments in rooftop solar, community solar gardens, solar workforce training, and other sustainable energy initiatives.
The EPA, which awarded the grants, expressed enthusiasm for the program’s potential to provide clean, affordable, and resilient energy to low-income communities. Environmental groups like the Center for Biological Diversity praised the investment as a step towards protecting disadvantaged communities from the effects of climate change and fossil fuel pollution.
Biden’s focus on Earth Day aligns with his previous climate initiatives, including the creation of the White House Office of Environmental Justice in 2022. His emphasis on the contrast between his environmental policies and those of Republicans highlights the growing political divide over climate action.
The Solar for All program, part of a larger $27 billion green bank, aims to reduce climate and air pollution while addressing environmental disparities. Despite concerns raised by Republicans, the program seeks to provide targeted funding for communities disproportionately affected by climate change.
