Remarks for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund Solar for All Press Conference, As Prepared for Delivery
Michael Regan
Vermont
Thank you, Senator Sanders for that introduction.
Your tireless work for climate and equity has not only inspired millions, but it’s accelerated our country’s collective efforts to drive meaningful and lasting change on these fronts.
Thank you, Representative Balint, for being here. We appreciate your tremendous leadership on climate change and environmental justice.
Senator Welch, thank you for joining us. We’re grateful for your commitment to combatting climate change.
It’s an honor to join you all today in the great state of Vermont—a place that has demonstrated exemplary leadership in implementing solar technology. Thank you for showing the country, how to effectively move towards a clean energy future.
The solar panel roof behind me is not only the perfect example of the transformative potential of renewable energy, but it also serves as a model of this community’s willingness to embrace affordable, secure solutions to power their homes and businesses.
And thanks to President Biden’s historic investments in America, the Inflation Reduction Act will provide funding and resources that will enable millions more nationwide an opportunity to deploy and benefit from solar technology.
Through the Inflation Reduction Act, EPA received over $41 billion dollars—that’s billion with a ‘B’—to confront the climate crisis and deliver life-changing investments to communities across the country.
One of the most innovative provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act was the creation of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund is a $27 billion dollar, first-of-its-kind program, to mobilize private capital to address the climate crisis, ensure our country’s economic competitiveness, and deliver lower energy costs and economic revitalization to communities that have historically been left behind.
Through the fund, our agency is creating three competitions designed to catalyze billions in private sector investment— scaling the deployment of clean technologies nationally, building clean community financing capacity locally, and spurring the adoption of clean technology to lower energy bills for millions of Americans.
Today, I’m proud to announce that EPA is opening the first funding opportunity through our $7 billion dollar Solar for All competition.
The Solar for All competition will expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment by awarding up to 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and eligible nonprofits—enabling millions of households to access affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy.
Overburdened communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis have been locked out of clean energy investments and climate solutions for far too long. And that’s why 100% of the $7 billion dollars will go to enabling these communities to deploy and benefit from clean, affordable residential distributed solar.
These historic boosts in solar investments are all thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda and will help cut families’ home energy bills, reduce pollution generated from powering our homes, and improve public health—all while creating good-paying jobs in a rapidly-expanding clean energy economy.
When President Biden took office, he promised that he would create an economy that works for all Americans, and that’s exactly what he’s doing.
After decades of neglect, we’re finally Investing in America again, rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure, sparking a resurgence in American manufacturing, unleashing a clean energy boom, and ensuring the industries of the future will grow here at home. This is Bidenomics in action.
Folks, all communities deserve to participate in America’s growing clean energy economy, and Solar for All is making that possible.
It’s time to think creatively about what a greener future truly looks like.
It’s time to transform our economy, and empower communities nationwide
And it’s time to work together to build a healthier, cleaner future for all.
We are excited. We are ready. And we will do everything in our power to make that future a reality.
Thank you, all! Now, I’m happy to take a few questions.