Our policy team works on promoting clean energy equity nationwide. GRID’s policy input has been specifically requested by Congress, the Biden-Harris Administration transition team, and agency leaders, and our CEO spoke at the Leaders Climate Summit to the President. We are also part of the Solar Access for All coalition, a diverse group of advocates representing civil rights, indigenous, environment, equity, rural, and business organizations calling on Congress and the Administration to expand solar access to everyone, with a specific policy roadmap. GRID has led support for key federal legislation, such as the Affordable Solar Energy for Our Communities Act, now under consideration for inclusion in a major infrastructure package.
We are also moving the needle at the state and local level. We’ve achieved over 30 significant policy wins for environmental and economic justice communities across ten states - here are some highlights:
California: Secured more than $1.5 billion for single-family and multifamily solar including job training on each installation
California: Successfully led advocacy with an environmental justice coalition for $200 million for clean energy microgrids to power critical facilities in low-income communities
Colorado: Led advocacy with an environmental justice coalition that achieved $20M in new transportation electrification equity programs, and supported legislation to reduce GHG emissions 50% by 2030 with strong equity provisions and increased funding for low-income renewable energy programs
Washington, DC: Pioneered Solar for All legislation to provide the benefits of solar to 100,000 low- to moderate-income households by 2032 and reduce their energy bills by 50%
Virginia: Helped promote equity in the Virginia Clean Economy Act, the first 100% clean energy mandate in the Southeast, and build new shared solar programs that must serve at least 30% low-income subscribers
Maryland: Helped advocate successfully to enact the Clean Energy Jobs Act, legislation to shift the state to 50% renewable energy by 2030 and create more green jobs, with an emphasis on programs for women, people of color, and veteran small business owners
Illinois: Drove the inclusion of a low-income solar program within the Future Energy Jobs Act, providing over $700 million for clean energy and job training
Washington State: Obtained reallocation of a $2.5 million budget for the state’s clean energy programs towards low-income and tribal community solar projects
New Mexico: Supported tribal-centric community solar in New Mexico as a partner on the successful Solution New Mexico campaign
New Jersey: Partnering with the NJ Shines Coalition to advance the Clean Energy Equity Act of 2020, which would ensure equitable funding for clean energy projects in overburdened communities and workforce training (this bill has momentum but hasn’t passed yet - lend your support now!)