Oregon and Washington have joined forces with nearly two dozen other states in a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) following the Trump administration’s cancellation of the $7 billion Solar For All grant. This legal action comes after the Oregon Department of Energy sent a letter to the EPA last month urging the agency to reverse its decision.
The Solar For All program was designed to provide low-income households and residents of rural areas with affordable access to rooftop solar installations, often at little or no cost. Additionally, the initiative aimed to offer rebates for solar installations on multifamily buildings and to enhance community solar projects benefiting low-income families.
Oregon had been awarded nearly $87 million through a competitive grant process, which was set to assist over 7,700 low-income households and save them more than $83 million, according to the Oregon Department of Energy. Washington was allocated $156 million for similar solar projects. However, in August, the EPA abruptly terminated the program, asserting that it no longer had the authority to manage or allocate funds for its continuation.
The funding awarded to Oregon was earmarked for various projects, including:
– $29 million for solar installations in single-family homes, requiring minimal to no upfront costs for customers.
– $15 million for financial and technical assistance to advance community solar projects under the Oregon Community Solar Program.
– $11 million for developing community solar projects in Consumer-owned Utility Territory.
– $10.86 million for solar initiatives in multifamily buildings that benefit low-income residents.
– $2.87 million for workforce development initiatives.
According to the Oregon Department of Energy, approximately $500,000 has already been invested to kickstart the program. In response, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown have joined leaders from 22 other states to initiate two lawsuits against the Trump administration, contesting the cuts to the Solar For All program.
The first lawsuit claims the termination of the program was illegal, while the second seeks damages for breach of contract. The cuts followed the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in which Congress allowed for the rescission of unobligated funds—money not already awarded through contracts. However, obligated funds, such as the $87 million designated for Oregon and other states, were meant to remain unaffected. Since taking office, President Trump has consistently worked to roll back federal funding for renewable energy and climate initiatives.
