Renewable Energy Vermont Statement on Solar for All Grant Award
Today’s $62,450,000 Solar for All award by the U.S. EPA to the Vermont Public Service Department is an important step towards ensuring that all Vermonters can benefit from a renewable energy future.
“The Public Service Department did a great job creating a proposal that will help thousands of low income Vermonters access the benefits of solar power and energy storage” said REV Executive Director Peter Sterling.
Every time a Vermonter goes solar, it means less fossil fuels are burned to generate electricity in one of New England’s 64 oil and natural gas plants larger than 50MW, none of which are located in Vermont.
Of these 64 oil and gas plants:
- 65% are located in communities with a higher than average share of people of color
- 60% in communities with a higher than average share of low-income residents
- 89% in communities with a higher than average share of kids under 5
“It’s a really important impact of this funding- helping more Vermonters go solar and increasing energy storage will help the hundreds of thousands of people in other New England States living near gas and oil plants that generate our electricity lead healthier lives” said Sterling.
Added Sterling, “Vermonters should be very proud of Senator Bernie Sanders who was key in the creation of a well-funded Solar For All program. Because of Bernie’s leadership and hard work, 900,000 low income Americans will now be able to save money while accessing the benefits of going solar.”