# Federal Courts Vacate EPA Solar for All Termination

Two federal district courts ruled against EPA’s termination of the Inflation Reduction Act’s $7 billion Solar for All program. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia vacated EPA’s decision on September 22, 2026, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued a separate ruling on September 18. The decisions could affect grant-funded solar and battery-storage work, including Harris County’s $250 million award serving more than 28,000 households and Missouri’s $156 million allocation for projects serving more than 18,000 households. Funding and project activity depend on EPA compliance and further litigation; a separate multistate case remains on appeal.

- Contractors and grant recipients can assess which planned projects, procurements, and delivery schedules depend on Solar for All funding, while avoiding assumptions that funds are available before EPA compliance or reinstatement is confirmed.
- The program was intended to support solar and battery projects for 900,000 households. Organizations working on the Harris County and Missouri-funded projects should review their award scopes and procurement plans against any EPA action affecting those funds.
- The D.C. court indicated it may consider further relief if EPA does not comply. The separate multistate appeal means the funding outlook remains subject to additional legal proceedings.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Grants & Funding, Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** September 29, 2026

### Government Entities
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island
- U.S. Congress (Congress)
- Harris County

### Key Quotes
> I am pleased that multiple courts have affirmed our belief that the power of the purse belongs to people’s representatives, and that no administration has the unilateral power to defund programs authorized by Congress, including the Solar for All program enacted in 2022.
> — Emanuel Cleaver, Congressman

> Congress created it. Congress appropriated the funds for it. No president or political appointee can unilaterally eliminate a program Congress has created, and two federal courts have now said so.
> — Lizzie Fletcher, U.S. Representative

> Now, the EPA must swiftly follow suit and reinstate these federal funds.
> — Jeff Merkley, Senator

### Sources
- [Two Federal Courts Rule Trump Administration’s Elimination of Solar For All Program Unlawful, Advancing the Effort of Congressman Cleaver, Congresswoman Fletcher, Senator Whitehouse, Senator Sanders, and Senator Merkley to Save the Program | Congressman Emanuel Cleaver](https://cleaver.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/two-federal-courts-rule-trump-administrations-elimination-solar-all) - Cleaver
- [
	Two Federal Courts Rule Trump Administration’s Elimination of Solar For All Program Unlawful,  Advancing the Effort of Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Jeff Merkley To Save the Program | U.S. Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher
](https://fletcher.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=7496) - Fletcher House
- [Two Federal Courts Rule Trump Administration's Elimination of Solar For All Program Unlawful, Advancing the Effort of Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher, Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Jeff Merkley To Save the Program - Merkley](https://www.merkley.senate.gov/two-federal-courts-rule-trump-administrations-elimination-of-solar-for-all-program-unlawful-advancing-the-effort-of-congresswoman-lizzie-fletcher-congressman-emanuel-cleaver-senator-sheldon-white/) - Merkley Senate