Ellison, Cárdenas, Lee Introduce Low Income Solar Act

Press Release

Reps. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Tony Cárdenas (D-CA), Barbara Lee (D-CA) yesterday introduced the Low Income Solar Act of 2015 (LISA). Community solar projects and rooftop solar panels are saving ratepayers money, reducing carbon pollution, and improving community health. Unfortunately, low-income families frequently lack the capital to invest in solar, or do not have the infrastructure in their home to allow solar to be installed.

"Solar energy is vital to reversing dangerous global warming and reducing the health impacts of air pollution, but we need to make sure that all Americans have access to this clean energy resource," said Ellison. "The Low Income Solar Act encourages innovative solar installation and financing models that will help bring the benefits of solar to low-income households."

"Low income Americans are just like the rest of our nation: They are paying way too much for fossil fuel energy," said Cárdenas. "My legislation will give them the opportunity to keep more money in their pocket and help America stop relying on countries who don't like us for energy, while we keep more fossil fuels in the ground, where they belong."

"I am proud to be introducing the Low-Income Solar Act of 2015. This legislation will empower low-income Americans to live more sustainably and save money by installing solar panels on their homes," said Lee. "This important legislation is another critical step toward reducing fossil fuel consumption while ensuring economic and environmental justice for all, especially for our low-income communities and communities of color. Furthermore, this legislation is good for the East Bay's growing solar sector and will help create and support many green jobs in our community."

"Minnesotans support and applaud Congressman Ellison's leadership to increase access for low-income communities to all the benefits of solar power," said Michael Noble, Executive Director of Minnesota's Fresh Energy. "With a free and abundant fuel source, solar electricity provides the cost stability and certainty that can especially help Americans who are on a tight budget. And by including job training in the Low-Income Solar Act, Congressman Ellison ensures that the economic benefits of solar will be directly felt in numerous ways in the communities that need it most."

LISA would provide grants to low-income residents to help lessen the cost of installing solar on their roofs. For those who cannot install solar, loans would be provided for companies to develop community solar facilities that would be linked to low-income homes.

Recently, the White House announced a new initiative to increase access to solar for all Americans, including low- and moderate- income communities, and expand opportunities join the solar workforce. This effort included setting a goal to install 300 megawatts of renewable energy in federally subsidized housing and providing technical assistance to make it easier to install solar, including clarifying how to use Federal funding.

LISA is the House companion to a Senate bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT.).

Source