US Judge Blocks Trump Administration Effort to End $7bn Solar Programme

A federal judge has ruled that the US Environmental Protection Agency unlawfully terminated about 7 billion US dollars in funding for the Solar for All programme, according to Senator Bernie Sanders.

Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont who introduced the programme, said the ruling preserves funding intended to help working-class households cover the cost of installing rooftop solar systems or participating in community-based solar projects.

The programme provides loans or grants to support solar access for households and communities. Sanders said it could reduce electricity bills for participating working families by up to 80 percent.

The senator welcomed the ruling and accused President Donald Trump’s administration of attempting to terminate the programme to protect the interests of oil and gas companies. Those characterisations were made by Sanders in a statement following the ruling.

Sanders said the programme could help lower utility bills for households, create thousands of jobs and expand access to renewable energy.

The ruling comes as the Trump administration has pursued changes to federal energy and environmental programmes. Sanders said the court decision preserves funding for a programme he described as addressing both household energy costs and climate change.

Solar for All was established to expand access to residential and community solar projects, particularly for households and communities that face greater barriers to adopting solar power.

Source: FSX Business News