Freeze on “Solar for All” State Grants Leaves New Mexico in the Dark 

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Trump administration issued an executive order (EO) pausing Solar for All grants across the United States, impacting 60 program awardees, including the state of New Mexico. 

The Solar for All program, which is part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), is a $7 billion program that will save Americans $350 million on their utility bills, while creating new jobs and delivering domestically produced energy in communities across the country.  

New Mexico was awarded $156 million in April 2024 “to meet low-income and disadvantaged communities, both owners and renters, where they are with direct grants and financing options for solar projects that decrease energy burden" by reducing household electric bills. An additional $62.5 million was awarded to support Tribal communities, prioritizing those in New Mexico among several other states. 

Since grants were awarded, programs have been working to deliver at least a 20 percent energy savings to 900,000 households across the United States. 

Following is a reaction from Alexis Mena, New Mexico policy director at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council): 

“The Solar for All program provides critical funding for New Mexico’s much-needed transition to clean, reliable energy and helps to alleviate the cost of electricity bills across our state. Lapses in funding for these programs leave communities in limbo, stalling projects and jeopardizing important investments. This order has a steep price, and New Mexicans will be left footing the bill.” 

The Trump administration’s EO has left local officials and grant program managers uncertain about the legality of its directives. While solar energy developers and advocates wait for clarity, the funding freeze leaves on-going projects in turmoil.  

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).