Judge Rules Trump Administration Illegally Terminated Solar for All Program

A federal judge in Rhode Island ruled on September 18 that the United States Environmental Protection Agency illegally terminated the $7 billion Solar for All program. The program, established under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, was designed to provide solar power to more than 900,000 lower-income Americans and support workforce development.

District Judge Mary McElroy vacated the termination, finding that the agency acted without statutory authority and contrary to congressional intent when it rescinded the funds in August 2025. The termination followed the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The court determined that the EPA lacked the authority to rescind grants that had already been obligated.

EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin had previously characterized the initiative as a "boondoggle" and argued the agency no longer had the authority or funds to maintain the program. The ruling follows a separate appeals court decision last month which found the administration improperly terminated the remaining $20 billion of the broader $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

The lawsuit was brought by a coalition including the Rhode Island AFL-CIO, Solar United Neighbors, and the Rhode Island Center for Justice. While the ruling mandates the reinstatement of the funds, the EPA is currently reviewing the decision and considering an appeal.