Luján Reintroduces Neighborhood Photo voltaic Invoice To Counter GOP Assaults On Clear Power

As Congressional Republicans push laws to intestine key clear vitality incentives, Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) has reintroduced a invoice aimed squarely at increasing entry to neighborhood photo voltaic for households and companies who’ve been traditionally shut out of the clear vitality transition.

The invoice, Neighborhood Photo voltaic Client Selection Act of 2025, builds on the success of current neighborhood photo voltaic fashions by requiring electrical utilities to supply neighborhood photo voltaic choices to all clients, with particular provisions to make sure significant participation from low-income households. The laws would authorize the Division of Power (DOE) to supply monetary help by means of grants, loans, and technical help, to increase and speed up deployment of those shared photo voltaic initiatives throughout the nation.

The purpose is easy: in case you can’t set up photo voltaic panels in your roof, it is best to nonetheless be capable to profit from solar energy.

Luján’s transfer is available in direct response to Republican efforts to repeal clear vitality tax credit included within the Inflation Discount Act of 2022, together with help for rooftop photo voltaic, energy-efficient residence upgrades, and battery storage. Consultant Kathy Castor (D-FL) launched an identical invoice within the Home.

“Because the local weather disaster intensifies and Republican lawmakers push to chop clear vitality funding, combating for sensible options like neighborhood photo voltaic is extra vital than ever. I’m proud to reintroduce the Neighborhood Photo voltaic Client Selection Act to increase entry to solar energy by means of neighborhood photo voltaic initiatives for all Individuals and create extra good-paying, clear vitality jobs. This invoice is a step ahead in combating the local weather disaster, and I stay up for working with Consultant Castor to get this invoice handed.” — Senator Luján

Whereas the invoice doesn’t reinvent the neighborhood photo voltaic mannequin, it does supply a transparent federal framework for scaling it up: mandating utility participation, requiring reasonably priced subscription fashions, and prioritizing fairness. In a political second the place clear vitality entry is below menace, Luján’s laws affords a sensible, widespread counterpunch.

“Each household deserves entry to reasonably priced, clear vitality—irrespective of their zip code or housing scenario. Too many Individuals are locked out of rooftop photo voltaic as a result of they hire their properties, dwell in multi-family buildings or can’t afford the upfront prices. The Neighborhood Photo voltaic Client Selection Act helps break down these limitations by increasing entry to shared photo voltaic initiatives, permitting extra Individuals to save cash on their electrical payments and profit from the clear vitality economic system.” — Rep. Kathy Castor