PHOENIX — Arizona’s senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego were part of a letter, along with 30 other U.S. senators, sent to Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin that demands the restoration of the Solar for All program.
On Thursday, a group of more than a dozen state attorneys general decided to sue the Trump administration over the termination of $7 billion in funding that was allocated to the Solar for All program.
The letter from the group of senators argues that the program would have reduced electricity bills by 20% for 900,000 households nationwide.
It says the termination is “unlawful” and the funding was “appropriated and fully obligated.”
Arizona delegation sent previous letter to EPA administrator Zeldin
A separate letter was signed by an Arizona delegation including Gallego, Kelly, Rep. Greg Stanton, Rep. Asmin Ansari and Governor Katie Hobbs on Aug. 14.
“Arizona is a prime spot for energy investments that will create good-paying jobs and lower the cost of utility bills,” said Sen. Kelly said in a release from the previous letter. “With so many of these project coming to the state, cutting funding to solar grants will hurt Arizona families.”
Stats regarding Solar for All program
The Solar for All program was introduced in 2022 as part of former President Joe Biden’s landmark climate law, intended to make the renewable energy accessible to nearly 1 million Americans.
The $7 billion program was terminated on Aug. 7, Zeldin announced.
However, the termination of some of the grant funding began in March 2025.
A release from the EPA in 2024 said the program had already chosen 60 selectees to receive grant awards and provide solar to low-income households.
“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,” said Sen. Gallego.
Price of installing solar and its benefits
According to NerdWallet, the average cost of installing a home solar system in Arizona ranges between $27,217 and $19,052.
The site adds that the average payback period for lower electric costs is 11 years.
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