VERMONT – State Senator Andrew Perchlik, Energy Program Manager with the Vermont Public Service Department (PSD) shared news last month that all work and activities related to Vermont’s Solar For All (SFA) program were paused on August 7 and will remain paused until further notice.”
The Vermont SFA program was slated to receive a nearly $62.5 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). SFA aimed to expand access to solar energy for low-income households in Vermont by lowering their electricity bills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It would have provided financial support to help low-income and disadvantaged families install small-scale, residential solar panels through programs like the Residential Assistance in Solar Energy (RAISE) program. The program also sought to accelerate the energy transition by attracting private investment and creating jobs in disadvantaged communities.
“Vermont received notice on August 7, from the EPA that Vermont’s SFA award was terminated due to language contained in U.S. House Bill 1 (H.1) of 2025 that was signed into law by the president on July 4, 2025. All SFA awardees across the country received the same termination letter,” wrote Perchlik.
The state and PSD, along with many other states and SFA awardees, sees the action as a wrongful termination of a signed grant agreement funded by congressionally obligated funds, he said. “PSD, under direction of Governor Scott, has submitted a Notice of Administrative Dispute as well as a notice of objection to the EPA regarding their attempt to terminate Vermont’s SFA award.”
“The PSD, as part of the Scott administration, is working with the Vermont Attorney General’s Office to identify other actions the state can take to regain access to the $62 million SFA award, including joining litigation seeking to overturn the EPA’s termination of the SFA Program,” said Perchlik.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
