States sue Trump to stop cancellation of $7 billion solar grant program

According to court documents, nearly two dozen states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for canceling a $7 billion grant aimed at increasing solar energy in low income communities.

In a Thursday statement, California Attorney-General Rob Bonta announced that two lawsuits were filed by a group states who received grants through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All Program.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin officially announced the termination in August. In an email, the agency stated that it will not comment on any pending litigation.

The first complaint, which seeks damages in money, was filed on Wednesday at the Court of Federal Claims. Bonta said that a second lawsuit will be filed in federal court on Thursday to seek the reinstatement of this program.

The lawsuits also include Maryland, Arizona and Colorado as well as Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey New Mexico, New York City, North Carolina, Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Vermont Washington D.C.

Ten days earlier, a group solar companies and unions had also filed a lawsuit to restore the program. (Reporting and editing by Nick Zieminski.)

(source: Reuters)