Brady PieperThe U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is allocating $156 million to the state of New Mexico furthering renewable resource initiatives. The grants will support developing solar energy systems in New Mexico’s low-income households and build upon the EPA’s previous climate action investments.
The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) will oversee the distribution of the funds, which are expected to save families thousands in energy costs while improving air quality. The EPA delivers these funds to EMNRD in support of the Solar for All (SFA) program, a $7 billion federal agenda that provides funds to organizations furthering affordable, reliable solar energy initiatives for residents.
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Using the investment, EMNRD plans to establish an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee to guide its implementation, oversee advertising for New Mexico’s SFA funding opportunities and conduct outreach efforts. The advisory committee will consist of industry stakeholders, tribal representatives, public advocacy groups and solar energy trade associations. It will work with local partners to develop best practices for implementing each program component within individual communities across the state.
The committee’s outreach efforts will involve partnerships with community-based organizations to identify potential barriers to solar adoption and to inform residents about the advantages of solar energy. The initiative is projected to benefit over 21,000 low-income households across the state.
Additionally, through a coalition of partners, EMNRD will create a project team responsible for the development, financing, design and construction of the state’s SFA program. The project team will be dedicated to planning and executing solar installations, including the integration of Energy Storage Systems to improve energy reliability for participating households.
As a part of the project team’s outreach efforts, the team will interface with low-income and disadvantaged households and community-based organizations to plan, install and conduct follow-up phases for each project. Project support will include one-on-one meetings with community-based and government organizations and group listening sessions that will explore potential barriers of community solar adoption.
The EPA will deliver these grants to the EMNRD through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a federal program aimed at addressing the climate crisis and lowering energy costs. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, established under the Inflation Reduction Act, delivers grants and funding opportunities to applicants looking to initiate climate action. Using these funds, EMNRD will bring solar power to more New Mexico families, especially in working, low-income and rural communities.
The $7 billion federal SFA program has so far delivered $5.5 billion in grants and funding opportunities to organizations around the country, furthering the EPA’s mission of expanding and improving solar infrastructure. Through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, SFA has granted 60 recipients, including 49 state-level, six tribes and five innovative multi state efforts, awards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save residents money on energy bills and unlock new solar markets.
Including EMNRD’s $156 million grant, a comprehensive list of all 60 SFA award recipients is available on the EPA’s SFA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund grant recipients list.
Photo by American Public Power Association on Unsplash
