In a significant legal move, New York Attorney General Letitia James has spearheaded a coalition’s efforts to save a crucial solar power initiative designed to provide affordable energy to nearly one million low-income households across the United States. The coalition has filed two lawsuits challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recent decision to terminate the Solar for All (SFA) program, which had already allocated billions in funding to states for developing solar energy infrastructure in vulnerable communities.
The lawsuits, filed in the Court of Federal Claims and the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, seek to overturn the EPA’s decision, deeming it unlawful and unconstitutional. “Providing more communities with affordable clean energy will help lower energy bills and tackle the climate crisis,” stated Attorney General James.
The SFA program, a product of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, was designed to disburse $7 billion to facilitate the development of solar energy for over 900,000 low-income households nationwide. New York, for instance, was allocated $249,800,000 for the initiative. In August 2024, the EPA announced the obligation of these funds, but by August 2025, the program was abruptly halted by the EPA under the Trump administration. The EPA’s actions included rescinding up to 90 percent of the previously allocated funds without providing a rationale.
Governor Kathy Hochul criticized these actions, highlighting the contrast between the administration’s energy policies and its expressed goals. “The Trump administration’s continued assault on clean energy programs, including the attempt to cancel the Solar for All Program, is in direct contrast to the President’s claims of wanting U.S. energy independence,” she noted.
In defense of the SFA program, Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, emphasized the potential economic relief it offers. “The Environmental Protection Agency’s unlawful termination of the federal Solar for All program is creating a crippling ripple effect on the clean energy industry,” Harris elaborated.
The coalition’s lawsuits argue that the EPA’s decision violates the Administrative Procedure Act and unconstitutionally overrides Congress’s financial authority. They assert that the termination of the program constitutes an illegal breach of contract and an unlawful taking of property. The coalition seeks not only the reinstatement of the SFA program but also compensation for the revoked grants, including the substantial funding allocated to NYSERDA.
This legal challenge is supported by a broad coalition, including attorneys general from multiple states and territories, governors from Kentucky and Pennsylvania, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. These collective efforts aim to ensure that the SFA program can continue to provide essential clean energy solutions to those most in need.
Original Story at ag.ny.gov