The bill slashing funding to many health care and infrastructure programs passed by the U.S. House of Representatives will not gut $62.5 million for a key Virgin Islands renewable energy project, officials said Friday.
Funds for the Virgin Islands Solar for All Ah We program were awarded to the Virgin Islands Energy Office by the Environmental Protection Agency under the national Solar for All program, and allocated in December 2024, said Energy Office Director Kyle Fleming.
The U.S. House of Representatives’ domestic policy bill, passed Thursday — dubbed the One, Big, Beautiful Bill by President Donald Trump — made deep cuts to food assistance and other social services, including energy assistance and renewable power, Congressional Delegate Stacey Plaskett warned.
The federal government froze some of the money shortly after it arrived in February, Flemming said, but most or all was eventually released.
Flemming said his office is in constant contact with the EPA, with staff from both agencies corresponding on at least a weekly basis, in addition to regularly scheduled meetings.
“VIEO has outlined extensively to the EPA its plans for the funds, including their use to cover the wages of several positions that must be created to staff SAW. Those staffing plans are currently being carried out, with onboarding expected to commence shortly for several critical positions,” Flemming said in a media release.
The Solar for All Ah We program could transform the territory’s residential energy landscape, addressing residents’ high electricity costs while creating new opportunities for energy resilience and reliable, affordable, clean power for communities most in need, Flemming said.
“With SAW funding, VIEO is looking not only to build upon the success of its Solar Plus Financing pilot program, but also to further expand the accessibility of solar by providing residential‐serving community solar for its most underserved residents so they too can receive the benefits of affordable and reliable electricity,” Flemming said in the written statement.
The office plans to offer eligible applicants access to low-interest loans for the installation of residential rooftop and community solar projects with associated battery storage.
The EPA has made funds immediately available for expenditure to support the early administrative aspects of the program’s one‐year planning period. This includes hiring essential staff, such as the program director, coordinating program design consulting engagements, and developing the technical designs that will leverage the program funding during the five‐year grant period of performance.
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