Michigan officials react after EPA cancels funding for Solar for All program
Michigan's Solar for All program, intended to help provide renewable energy resources to low-income residents, has lost millions in expected federal funding, state officials confirm.
"We are currently working with Michigan's Attorney General to determine our next steps," Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Director Phil Roos said in a statement.
State officials say the program was so far along that pilot projects had already been selected for nine Michigan counties, including Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw. The intention was to help eligible households reduce their electricity bills through the implementation of solar energy and related systems.
"The state's MI Solar for All Program would significantly reduce energy costs for thousands of Michigan residents, providing an average savings of $400 per family per year while creating approximately 700 high-quality local jobs, boosting the state's economy and supporting American businesses. By increasing Michigan's energy independence, the program also builds resilience against power outages and extreme weather events. Regrettably, the EPA wants to retroactively cut funding for this vital program at a time when such initiatives should be prioritized," Roos said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced Aug. 7 that the Solar for All financial funding efforts are ending. There were 60 grant awards already approved across the country, with the EGLE handling Michigan's funds.
"The bottom line is this: EPA no longer has the statutory authority to administer the program or the appropriated funds to keep this boondoggle alive," EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a statement posted on X.
Michigan had been approved for $156,120,000 in federal funds to help support rooftop solar, community solar, energy storage and related logistics. Much of the planning has already taken place, according to the EGLE website, and the state's program introduction was scheduled for early 2026.
CBS News Detroit has reached out to the EPA for comment. The department issued the following statement:
"The Trump EPA is proudly committed to fully following the law and being a great steward of your taxpayer dollars.
"Since being signed into law on Independence Day, EPA has been diligently working to implement President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill in accordance with congressional intent.
"The new law eliminates billions of green slush fund dollars by repealing the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, including a 7 billion dollar program called Solar for All.
"One of the more shocking features of Solar for All was with regards to the massive dilution of the money as many grants go through pass-through after pass-through after pass-through after pass-through, with all of the middlemen taking their own cut—at least 15% by conservative estimates. What a grift!
"Furthermore, the Biden-Harris Administration exempted this program from the Build America, Buy America law that requires federal agencies to use American workers, American products, and American infrastructure for projects using American taxpayer dollars. That's great news for China, not so much for the USA.
"Lastly, while this program was stood up in 2024, very little money has actually been spent. Recipients are still very much in the early planning phase, not the building and construction process.
"But the bottom line again is this: EPA no longer has the authority to administer the program or the appropriated funds to keep this boondoggle alive.
"With clear language and intent from Congress in the One Big Beautiful Bill, EPA is taking action to end this program for good. We are committed to the rule of law and being a good steward of taxpayer dollars."