HOUSTON - Harris County Attorney Abbie Kamin secured a major victory in court yesterday, as a federal judge sided with Harris County in finding the EPA illegally terminated the historical Solar for All program. The Trump administration had attempted to cancel $7 billion across the country, with over $250 million across the state, including $54 million for Harris County, that was intended to fund clean energy initiatives to help low-income households save on energy costs, create jobs, and establish community hubs powered by solar energy reserves in the event of power outages and state grid failures.
“We stand firmly behind critical initiatives that bring affordable, cost-saving solar energy to underserved residents while reducing environmental harm and strengthening our economy. I will continue to stand up against improper federal agency actions that are not only illegal, but also harm our communities,” said County Attorney Kamin. “Seven billion dollars of grant funding was jeopardized by the Trump Administration—dollars that would bring clean energy jobs, lower electricity bills—we will continue to safeguard these critical dollars and fight to protect our climate.”
“This doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it takes all of us,” said Kamin, expressing appreciation to the work Congressman Christian Menefee started and their shared commitment to tackling the affordability crisis and climate change head on.
Even with this win, the EPA's termination and the resulting legal fight have cost essential time in building these solar programs.
“This is a really important victory for energy resilience in Harris County. The fight continues but this is a big step to getting our funding back,” said County Judge Lina Hidalgo.
"Tuesday's ruling is an important victory for Harris County families who deserve lower energy bills, cleaner air, good paying jobs, and access to affordable solar energy," said Precinct 1 County Commissioner Rodney Ellis. "This ruling holds the Trump Administration accountable for unlawfully attempting to eliminate Solar for All, but this fight is not over. Harris County must keep fighting to ensure that the EPA does not continue delaying the support our communities need to become healthier, more affordable, and more resilient."
“Exploding energy costs under the Trump Administration hurt both families and businesses. Why Trump's EPA would seek to make those costs higher by attempting to undermine Solar For All will never make sense to me. It clearly didn't make sense to the Court either as the Judge ruled that the EPA was wrong to shut down the program,” said Precinct 2 County Commissioner Adrian Garcia. “I am grateful to the Court for its ruling. My office has been working to produce more energy to reduce costs for Harris County residents since 2019, this decision by the court is a win in the fight to reduce energy costs for everyone in Harris County who pays a light bill."
"A federal court confirmed what we've known all along: the Trump Administration’s decision to terminate the Solar for All program was unlawful. This ruling is a critical step toward recovering the $249.7 million this region needs to strengthen our energy infrastructure, protect our communities, and create affordable, alternative energy options for vulnerable families. As Commissioner for Precinct 4—home to the Energy Corridor—I am committed to fighting for this funding so Harris County can continue dominating traditional energy and leading the global energy transition,” said Precinct 4 County Commissioner Lesley Briones.
“Harris County Commissioners Court has steadfastly supported this program as a way to bring affordable clean energy to County residents, and that support is why we were able to move forward while the case proceeded,” said Pollution Control Director Jesse Dickerman. “For the nearly 10,000 Harris County households struggling with high electricity bills, this program means real relief. Now that a judge has agreed the termination was unlawful, we'll keep working to bring its benefits to Texans across the state. "Created by Congress in 2022, the Solar For All program represents a historic $7 billion investment in bringing clean, affordable energy to underserved communities nationwide."
Read the judge’s opinion here.