In 2023, the Commonwealth created a proposal aimed at reducing participating households' monthly energy bills by up to 20%. It mainly reaches low-income households and communities who do not often have access to renewable energy.
Julia Finch, director of the Kentucky chapter of the Sierra Club, explained it also aided the regional economy.
"Another goal was to provide jobs and trainings and renewable energy, and to create a workforce that is ready to engage with renewable energy," Finch pointed out. "I think that we see this as a huge setback."
Louisville and Eastern Kentucky counties had planned to use $150 million to create a forgivable solar loan program for low-income households as well as build community centers powered by solar panels for use during natural disasters. According to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, in 2023, the U.S. solar industry employed around 279,000 people nationwide, growing 6% from the previous year. Consumer Affairs said the average cost of residential solar panel installation is around $28,000.
Finch stressed the cancellation of the funds comes at a time when states are seeing a rollback of federal environmental regulations and a push to maintain a reliance on fossil fuels.
"That's going to continue to drive up costs for consumers," Finch contended. "Ultimately, we're going to be the one seeing that on our monthly bills."
This week, the EPA will host virtual public hearings on the proposed repeal of a 2009 rule related to the need to control greenhouse gas emissions as a public health risk.