Senate bill would give low-income Americans better access to solar energy

U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced a bill that would help low-income Americans use solar energy.

The Low-Income Solar Energy Act puts forth several strategies to give people more access to solar energy. First, it expands the Low-Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to include up to 25 percent solar. It also directs the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to create financing programs to help low-income families access solar, such as interest buy downs, grants and loan guarantees. It would also offer Section 8 homeowner’s interest-free loans to install solar. Further, it would update the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules to ensure that savings from solar energy do not lead to corresponding increases in rent. Finally, it would require the DOE to create a solar workforce program that invests in underrepresented groups in the solar industry.

“All Americans—regardless of whether they have good credit, own a home, or live in multi-family building—deserve to be able to access solar energy,” Duckworth said. “I’m proud to be introducing this legislation with Senator Booker and Congressman McEachin that would make it easier for low-income Americans to use solar energy and lower their utility bills, which will help our nation reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, combat climate change and decrease air pollution.”

A companion bill was also introduced in the House by Reps. Donald McEachin (D-VA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-CA), and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM).

“Our country must transition to a clean energy economy and increase access to renewable energies for all Americans,” McEachin said. “That is why our legislation is so important: the Low-Income Solar Energy Act will make it easier for low-income individuals and affordable housing residents to use solar energy. I am pleased to introduce this legislation with my colleagues, Senator Duckworth, Senator Booker, and Congresswoman Barragán, co-chairs of our bicameral task force committed to environmental justice. It is appropriate that the first bill we have introduced together will increase energy affordability and help protect our planet for future generations.”

This bill is supported by Grid Alternatives, Elevate Energy, Vote Solar, Faith in Place Action Fund, Clean Power Lake County, Earthjustice, and the Sierra Club.

“Thanks to Senator Duckworth’s leadership, the proposed Low Income Solar Energy Act would provide concrete tools to families who stand to benefit the most from a clean energy future,” Melanie Santiago-Mosier, managing director of access and equity at Vote Solar, said. “Investing in solar energy resources for low-income communities means cleaner air, healthier kids, and local jobs, in addition to families saving money month after month.”