美國環保署凍結全民太陽能計畫資金，綠能推進陷入停滯

美國環保署（EPA）近日因涉及未決訴訟而宣布凍結「全民太陽能計畫」（Solar For All）的資金撥付，這一舉動對推動全國綠能計畫的進度造成重大影響。該計畫原本旨在分發70億美元的補助金，支持全美各地至少90萬戶家庭安裝太陽能設施，但資金凍結使計畫陷入停滯，引發多方關注與擔憂。

EPA Freezes “Solar For All” Funding Amid Ongoing Litigation, Impacting National Green Energy Initiatives

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a freeze on funding for the Solar For All program due to ongoing litigation, significantly impacting the progress of national clean energy initiatives. Originally designed to distribute $7 billion in grants to support at least 900,000 households across the country in installing solar energy systems, the program has now been put on hold, raising concerns among stakeholders.

EPA發言人在2月5日的一份聲明中表示：「EPA和司法部無法就未決訴訟提供進一步信息。」目前尚不清楚該訴訟的詳細情況，但其已直接影響到原本預計在今年內啟動或加速的多個太陽能項目。

計畫概況與受影響範圍

「全民太陽能計畫」是一項由聯邦政府啟動的大規模綠能倡議，其目的是為各州、地方政府、部落政府以及非營利組織提供資金支持，推動清潔能源技術的普及。該計畫不僅有助於降低家庭能源成本，也旨在推動綠能就業，並減少碳排放對環境的影響。

In a statement on February 5, an EPA spokesperson said, “The EPA and the Department of Justice cannot comment on pending litigation.” The details of the lawsuit remain unclear, but it has already directly affected multiple solar energy projects that were scheduled to launch or accelerate this year.

Program Overview and Affected Areas

目前，全國各地的受助機構正處於計畫實施的不同階段。根據能源專家康斯坦丁（Constantine）的說法：「許多受助機構原本計劃今年內啟動資金使用，並已與EPA接近完成工作計畫和預算的最終確認。但現在這一切都處於不確定狀態。」

以賓夕法尼亞州為例，該州的能源開發局原本獲得了1.56億美元，用於啟動州內的全民太陽能計畫。為應對資金凍結，賓州眾議員伊麗莎白·菲德勒（Elizabeth Fiedler）於2月4日提出法案，試圖通過州立法來取得相關資金，確保計畫能夠如期推進。

The Solar For All program is a large-scale federal green energy initiative aimed at providing funding to state and local governments, tribal governments, and nonprofit organizations to promote the adoption of clean energy technologies. The program not only helps lower household energy costs but also supports green job creation and reduces carbon emissions.

Currently, grant recipients across the country are in various stages of implementation. According to energy expert Constantine, “Many grant recipients had planned to begin using funds this year and were close to finalizing work plans and budgets with the EPA. Now, everything is in limbo.”

For example, Pennsylvania had been awarded $156 million to launch its statewide Solar For All program. In response to the funding freeze, State Representative Elizabeth Fiedler introduced a bill on February 4 to secure alternative state funding to ensure the program proceeds as planned.

在部落地區，非營利組織Indigenized Energy於1月30日宣布，奇佩瓦克里部落（Chippewa Cree Tribe）和奧格拉拉蘇族部落（Oglala Sioux Tribe）已完成其補助金支持下的首批太陽能項目，為部落家庭安裝提供約8千瓦的清潔電力。下一批項目計劃於2025年春季展開，具體進度將視天氣條件而定。

然而，資金凍結的影響並不僅限於這些計畫，可能還包括其他尚未公佈的項目。康斯坦丁警告說：「我們不清楚有多少資金已經到位，也不清楚政府是否可能進一步回收已撥款項目中的剩餘資金。」

國會議員要求EPA給予明確回應

隨著情況的發展，多位國會議員對此表示高度關切，並敦促EPA給出明確解釋。來自康涅狄格州的羅莎·德勞羅（Rosa DeLauro）、緬因州的雪莉·平格里（Chellie Pingree）、華盛頓州的派蒂·穆雷（Patty Murray）以及俄勒岡州的傑夫·默克利（Jeff Merkley）近日聯名致函EPA署長李·澤爾丁（Lee Zeldin）。信中強調：「資金凍結會嚴重損害保護公共健康與環境的計畫，同時增加家庭能源成本。特朗普政府的這一舉動將削弱美國在綠能產業中的競爭力，並導致數千個潛在工作機會的流失。」

In tribal regions, the nonprofit organization Indigenized Energy announced on January 30 that the Chippewa Cree Tribe and Oglala Sioux Tribe had successfully completed their first solar energy installations under the grant, providing approximately 8 kW of clean power to tribal households. The next phase of installations is planned for spring 2025, though its timeline remains weather-dependent.

However, the impact of the funding freeze extends beyond these projects. Constantine warned, “We don’t know how much funding has already been disbursed, nor whether the government might attempt to claw back remaining funds from approved projects.”

Lawmakers Demand EPA Clarification

As the situation unfolds, several lawmakers have expressed strong concern and are urging the EPA to provide clear explanations. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT), Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME), Senator Patty Murray (WA), and Senator Jeff Merkley (OR) recently sent a joint letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

信中還指出，資金凍結對於包括全民太陽能計畫和清潔校車補助金在內的多個重要計畫構成威脅，並要求EPA提供詳細的資金凍結原因及計畫受影響的範圍。

政策變動對綠能產業的長遠影響

特朗普政府一直對可再生能源持批評態度，並多次表示希望重新調整《通脹削減法案》（IRA）中的相關條款。康斯坦丁表示，特朗普政府對綠能產業的「強硬政策」可能導致更多計畫遭遇資金凍結或回收。他同時指出：「選舉結果確實會帶來政策上的重大轉變，但我們不能因此容許太陽能部署或清潔能源轉型的進展停滯。」

In their letter, they emphasized, “The funding freeze severely undermines programs designed to protect public health and the environment while increasing household energy costs. The Trump administration’s actions will weaken America’s competitiveness in the green energy sector and lead to the loss of thousands of potential jobs.”

The letter also highlighted that the funding freeze threatens not only Solar For All but also other key programs, including the Clean School Bus Grant Program, and called on the EPA to provide details on the reasons for the freeze and the scope of affected projects.

Long-Term Impact on the Green Energy Sector

The Trump administration has been critical of renewable energy and has repeatedly expressed its intention to revise provisions within the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). According to Constantine, the administration’s “hardline stance on green energy” could lead to further funding freezes or even rollbacks of existing programs.

康斯坦丁進一步補充：「全民太陽能計畫是我們推進清潔能源經濟的一個理想模式。它的暫停對於行業和環境都是一個特別嚴重的威脅。」

“Policy shifts following elections can significantly impact the industry, but we cannot allow solar deployment or the clean energy transition to stall,” Constantine said.

He added, “Solar For All represents an ideal model for advancing a clean energy economy. Suspending it poses a serious threat to both the industry and the environment.”

Future Challenges and Prospects

未來挑戰與發展方向

隨著全球對清潔能源需求的增加，美國在綠能產業的領導地位正面臨政策調整帶來的不確定性。資金凍結不僅影響當前計畫的進度，還可能對未來的技術創新與市場信心產生深遠影響。

As global demand for clean energy continues to rise, the U.S. faces uncertainty in its leadership of the green energy sector due to shifting policies. The funding freeze not only delays current projects but may also have long-term consequences for technological innovation and market confidence.

儘管如此，各界仍在努力推動計畫的恢復與進展，期望能在政策挑戰中找到解決方案，確保綠能經濟的可持續發展。未來如何在政府政策、行業需求與環境目標之間取得平衡，將成為決定美國能源轉型成敗的關鍵。

Despite these challenges, various stakeholders remain committed to reviving and advancing the program, hoping to navigate policy hurdles and secure sustainable growth for the green energy economy. Balancing government policies, industry needs, and environmental goals will be crucial in determining the success of America’s clean energy transition.