Arizona senators join letter from colleagues to EPA administrator Zeldin to restore Solar for All program
Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego were part of a letter with 30 other U.S. senators, arguing for the restoration of the Solar for All program.
Watch: The truth about Arizona's water shortage and your bills | 11 mins
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.
Related
2 found dead after fire at home in Maricopa
Newborn found safe in northern AZ after being abducted from West Valley
How to protect your dog from venomous snakes in Arizona
10-year-old boy hospitalized after mountain rescue on Camelback’s Echo Canyon Trail
Heat wave expected to bring record-breaking temps, heighten wildfire risk to parts of US
2 contemporary fashion brands to make Arizona debuts at Scottsdale Quarter
Comments
15 Comments
Oil is still receiving subsidies today, and it is not a developing technology. New ideas sometimes need a boost. Why is that hard to comprehend?
Solar/wind are a waste of money.
Invest in nuclear instead.
Oil wasn't? Other than the 3 TRILLION in subsidies doled out over the last DECADE you mean?
Or the fact that the top 500 oil companies pay an average tax rate of 1.8%! With the highest tax rate amongst them being a hair over 3%.
That also leaves out all of the damage they do to the environment that they can shrug their shoulders and force the government and insurance companies to pay for.
You realize (of course you don't) that internal combustion is only 30% efficient? Compression ignition (diesel) tops out under 45% efficient. So your plan is to keep using those while wasting all the solar energy that falls on the ground for free go to waste?
My friend you are exhibit A for how uninformed you have to be to vote Republican these days.