Sunday, 5th April 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 8th August 2025, 12:54 PM
The administration of President Donald Trump has taken steps to dismantle a $7 billion federal programme aimed at delivering rooftop solar energy to low-income and disadvantaged communities across the United States.
The initiative, known as “Solar For All”, was established under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act – the flagship climate legislation introduced by former President Joe Biden. The programme was designed to significantly cut electricity bills for hundreds of thousands of households, while advancing clean energy access nationwide.
Programme Overview
| Programme Name | Solar For All |
| Launched Under | Inflation Reduction Act (2022) |
| Total Funding | $7 billion |
| Target Households | Over 900,000 |
| Expected Savings | Hundreds of dollars per year per household |
| Recipients | 60 entities – a mix of state agencies and non-profits, in both Republican- and Democrat-led states |
Despite its bipartisan reach and early implementation steps, the Trump administration has now set in motion a plan to cancel the programme entirely.
Legal and Administrative Justification
In a video posted on the social platform X, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the rollback, stating that the newly passed “Big Beautiful Act” had repealed the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the umbrella fund under which Solar For All operated.
Zeldin claimed he was now “obligated to follow the law” and proceed with terminating the scheme.
He also raised the following criticisms:
| Claim | Details |
| Mismanagement | Accused unnamed “middlemen” of siphoning funds through administrative costs, labelling the system a “grift”. |
| Lack of Domestic Procurement | Criticised the exemption from ‘Buy American’ rules, suggesting the initiative unduly benefits Chinese manufacturers. |
Notably, Zeldin offered no substantiated evidence for the corruption allegations or financial mismanagement claims.
Funding Status
According to research from Atlas Public Policy, only $53 million of the $7 billion allocated had been spent to date. However, Atlas senior policy analyst Tom Taylor noted there had been an understanding that obligated funds—once contracts were signed—could not legally be withdrawn.
“But the Trump administration is now testing that theory,” said Taylor, implying a potential legal challenge over the clawback of funds already in progress.
Backlash from Environmental and Political Circles
The announcement sparked sharp criticism from environmental organisations and progressive lawmakers.
Adam Kent, director of green finance at the Natural Resources Defense Council, stated:
“President Trump pledged to cut energy bills in half, but once again his administration is trying to make it more expensive to keep your home cool or the lights on.”
Senator Bernie Sanders, a long-time climate advocate, issued a more forceful condemnation:
“Donald Trump wants to illegally kill this programme to protect the obscene profits of his friends in the oil and gas industry. We will fight back to preserve this enormously important programme.”
Climate Rollbacks Under Trump
The attempted termination of Solar For All is the latest move in a series of climate and renewable energy reversals under President Trump’s second administration. Actions already undertaken include:
| Action | Description |
| Repealed Tax Credits | Worked with Congress to eliminate incentives for wind and solar energy. |
| Tightened Land Access | Increased restrictions on federal land leases for renewable energy projects. |
| Cancelled Wind Zones | Rescinded designated offshore wind areas. |
| Gutted Emission Standards | Proposed elimination of greenhouse gas regulations for power plants and vehicles. |
| Controversial Climate Report | Released a report suggesting climate change may have potential benefits. |
These developments signal a comprehensive reversal of Biden-era climate efforts, positioning the United States on a markedly different environmental and energy policy path.
While the Solar For All programme’s future now hangs in the balance, legal experts suggest the Trump administration may face court challenges if it proceeds with cancelling contractually obligated funding. Environmental groups and Democratic legislators are already preparing to defend the programme through both legislative and judicial means.
Comments