The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that New Mexico will receive $156,120,000 through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund’s Solar For All program. This initiative is part of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act and aims to provide low-income and disadvantaged households with access to affordable solar energy. The benefits include home energy savings, improved air quality, and job creation.

Camilla Feibelman, Director of the Sierra Club Rio Grande Chapter, expressed optimism about the funding: “With the fires, drought and heat that New Mexico is experiencing because of the global climate crisis, there is real hope in being awarded $156 million dollars to superpower the Community Solar Program. The federal Solar for All funding will allow State Energy Office to prioritize energy for unelectrified homes and families especially in our most rural and underserved communities all while reducing our contribution to climate change.”

The federal climate law has allocated $7 billion for this program. However, by last year’s application deadline, requests had exceeded $38 billion.

According to the EPA's website, New Mexico's Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) plans to use these funds to overcome barriers to solar adoption. The program will extend beyond current community solar initiatives by bringing isolated residents online and enhancing grid resilience with on-site solar solutions. It targets low-income and disadvantaged communities with grants and financing options designed to reduce their energy burden.

To enhance its effectiveness, the Project Team will collaborate with existing state programs, workforce development providers, community organizations, and government partners who understand New Mexico's diverse population.