Judge Orders EPA to Restore $7 Billion Clean Energy Grants Cancelled by Trump Administration

In a Friday ruling, Judge Mary S. McElroy concluded that the EPA's termination of the Solar for All program breached Congress's explicit directive to continue administering the already-obligated $7 billion in clean-energy grants. Established under the Inflation Reduction Act, the program sought to lower electricity bills, create jobs and cut greenhouse-gas emissions in low-income areas. Lawsuits filed by the Conservation Law Foundation, Southern Environmental Law Center, Lawyers for Good Government and the Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island on behalf of workers, nonprofits and other downstream beneficiaries led to the decision.

The EPA argued it lacked jurisdiction, but the court ordered the agency to release the funding. EPA officials said they are reviewing the decision and possible appeal. The grants, awarded in 2024, were expected to save families $350 million each year and support 200,000 jobs, including a $156.1 million award to a Florida nonprofit coalition now at risk.