A $62 million award intended to assist low-income homes in obtaining solar power has been revoked by the Trump administration in Maine.
The Environmental Protection Agency said in a letter to the state on Thursday that the $7 billion “Solar for All” national grant program was terminated by the new Republican tax overhaul known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“Thus, any attempt to continue the program s administration, in the absence of any authorizing legislation or appropriated funds for that purpose, is no longer legally permissible,” the department stated.
However, proponents of the nationwide program assert that its closure is unlawful and will harm Americans who are already dealing with exorbitant electricity costs.
Dan Burgess, director of the Maine Governor’s Energy Office, stated, “By terminating the program, Maine will no longer have access to reasonably priced solar, energy storage, and the qualified electricians, installers, and construction workers required to meet our energy and economic needs now and in the future.”
“We remain committed to this program and will review all options to preserve it,” Burgess stated.
According to the energy office, the office is working with the Maine Office of Attorney General to analyze the EPA notice and decide on the next course of action.
In April of last year, Maine was given the Solar for All award. According to Afton Vigue, a spokesman for the energy office, it has already spent almost $200,000 of the money.
Just last month, the office’s Solar for All initiative was authorized by the EPA. The program was supposed to launch in early 2026.
According to the office, the financing was expected to cut utility rates for roughly 20,000 low-income individuals in Maine by providing incentives for cooperative solar arrays and rooftop solar panels.
According to Viggue, it also included funds for 700 Maine citizens to receive training in trades like construction and electrical work.
In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act created the Solar for All initiative. Through the program, EPA awarded grants to 60 states and tribes.
Bernie Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, stated in a statement that he created Solar for All in order to assist working families in saving money.
“At a time when working families are getting crushed by skyrocketing energy costs and the planet is literally burning, sabotaging this program isn t just wrong it s absolutely insane,” Sanders stated.
