As the White House celebrated Earth Day on Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a $156 million award to the Missouri Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Agency (EIERA).
The award, distributed through the Solar for All grant contest, is designed to provide long-term solar power programs that support low-income communities and reduce pollution across the state.
“If your utility bill is about $150 a month, you’re still paying about $25 a month, but you’re saving $125 a month,” said Ryan Roe, owner of Greenleaf Solar.
More than 18,000 Missouri households will benefit from the Solar for All program, which has the potential to create thousands of long-term solar industry jobs.
Missouri EIERA plans to use a combination of forgivable loans for solar installations without long-term repayment options.
“For low-income households, this is a great way to save a little money,” Lo says. “And it reduces your carbon footprint.”
The Missouri EIERA is one of 49 other state-level awards announced by EPA, with $500 million allocated to six tribes, as well as five multi-state awards worth approximately $1 billion.
Overall, EPA estimates that this investment will enable more than 900,000 low-income households and disadvantaged communities across the United States and reduce emissions by 30 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over five years.
The award is part of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund created under President Joe Biden’s Inflation Control Act.
