Trump Freeze Stalls Red-State Solar Boom
A funding pause leaves Indiana’s solar projects and volunteers in limbo.
Energy Innovation & Infrastructure
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3 min
What Happened?
On his first day in office, Donald Trump halted billions in Biden-era clean energy grants, including $4.42 million for solar projects in Columbus, Indiana. Local retiree Mike Mullett spent over a year coordinating efforts to install solar panels for 530 low-income households, relying on federal Solar for All funding. A federal judge temporarily ordered Trump to resume payments on February 10, but delays could push the project into 2026. Indiana, a Trump stronghold, ranks 7th in U.S. electricity rate hikes and relies on coal/gas for 83% of its power.
Why Does it Matter?
Solar isn’t partisan here. Red states like Texas and Florida lead U.S. solar growth, and 80% of green manufacturing funds target GOP districts. Indiana’s solar adoption outpaces blue states like Illinois, yet Trump’s freeze risks stalling progress. “This program is popular across parties,” says Zach Schalk of Solar United Neighbors, which helped secure $7.1 million for Indiana projects. For volunteers like Mullett, the pause wastes years of unpaid work and jeopardizes private matching funds.
The Bigger Picture
Renewables thrive in red states despite politics. Texas powers 4.5 million homes with solar; Florida’s installations rival California’s. Federal incentives accelerated this growth, but some Republicans argue the industry no longer needs subsidies. Indiana Rep. Ed Soliday claims utility-scale solar can stand alone, but rooftop projects for low-income families rely on grants. Trump’s “Green New Scam” rhetoric clashes with grassroots demand even in conservative towns like Columbus.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Legal battles may decide the funding’s fate, but locals aren’t waiting. Mullett’s team keeps planning, hoping courts or bipartisan pressure restart grants. Solar United Neighbors urges state leaders to defend programs that cut energy costs for voters. Meanwhile, private investors could fill gaps but without federal backing, small-scale projects struggle.
Final Thoughts
Imagine spending 60-hour weeks volunteering, only to watch politics derail your dream. That’s reality for Mullett, who calls this solar push “50 years in the making.” Solar’s rise in red states proves climate action isn’t blue or red it’s practical. But when ideology overrides local needs, everyone loses. As Schalk says, “It’s about resilience, not partisanship.”
Sources: The Guardian, Solar United Neighbors Action, U.S. Energy Information Administration.
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