Judge rules EPA illegally terminated $7 billion solar program intended to help poorer Americans
A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled on Friday that the Trump administration illegally terminated a $7 billion Solar for All program aimed at making solar power accessible to over 900,000 lower-income Americans. The program, intended to provide solar installations and energy efficiency measures, was discontinued in August 2025 after President Trump's tax and spending law was passed.
District Judge Mary McElroy stated that Congress clearly intended the Environmental Protection Agency to continue administering the grants that were already obligated. The EPA's termination of the program was found to be in direct violation of this intent and lacked any other statutory authority. The plaintiffs, including the Rhode Island AFL-CIO labor organization and environmental justice groups, hailed the decision as a significant victory for states and communities seeking clean energy access.
The program was part of a larger $27 billion "green bank" established in the 2022 climate law under the Biden administration.
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