Vote Solar and Activate 48 Held a Solar for All Press Conference at the Arizona Capitol
Event Highlighted Government Negligence and the Cost to Arizonans’ Health, Jobs, and Power
Media Contact:
Estrella Lozano, elozano@votesolar.org
Paulina Gilles-Pantoja, paulina@activate48.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2025
Phoenix, AZ— On Monday, October 20th, Vote Solar and Activate 48 held a Solar for All Press Conference at the Arizona State Capitol to call attention to the federal government’s decision to pull $156 million in Solar for All funding, a move that would have helped make clean energy more affordable for Arizona’s low-income, rural, and tribal families.
Community leaders, advocates, and impacted residents gathered to condemn ongoing government negligence, from energy affordability to the current healthcare funding shutdown, to highlight how these failures are harming Arizona families
“We want a future where no one gets left behind… not our rural towns, not our tribal communities, not our working families. That’s what the Solar for All program was all about,” said Vanessa Perez, Activate 48 Environmental Justice Coalition Coordinator and AZ Solar for All Coalition Lead. “The funds the EPA took away were part of a larger common-sense solution for constituents that would have helped lower our energy bills. The issues of energy burden our communities are facing should not be political, and the solutions, like solar, are non-partisan. It’s time for our leadership to acknowledge that.”
“To take back these already promised funds now is not only negligent, but it’s unlawful and undermines Arizona’s right to deliver programs that have already been approved and in development,” said Nile Bunger, Climate Justice Director for AZ AANHPI for Equity. “It is no shocker that Arizona leads the way in our country when it comes to warm sunshine days; therefore, it does not make sense that we are not taking advantage of clean energy opportunities.”
“If you don’t feel the impacts today, you will certainly feel the impacts tomorrow. Here in the southwest, water scarcity and climate change is real.” From a statement read on behalf of Tó Nizhóní Ání.
“Solar for All was built from the ground up to deliver lower bills, cleaner air, and good local jobs,” said Itzel Ríos-Vega, Regional Director of the West at Vote Solar. “The $156 million awarded to Arizona would have meant $165 million in bill savings, $11 million for workforce training, and new solar and storage projects designed by and for our communities. Pulling that support now delays real relief for families who are already paying the price of high energy costs and extreme heat. Arizona has the sunlight, the workforce, and the partnerships to move forward. What’s needed now is the commitment to finish the job.”
”The Velasquez family is a perfect example of how Solar for All could benefit Arizonans. They received a partial grant from our organization to help pay for their solar installation, much like how this program would function,” said Jess White from Solar United Neighbors. “Those funds, combined with the 30% federal solar tax credit, which is unfortunately being phased out by the end of this year, will help the Velasquez family break even on the cost of their system in just three years. Their very first electric bill after installing solar was cut in half, which has been a huge relief for their family’s budget. Solar for All would benefit 11,000 families in much the same way, an investment we can’t afford to lose.”
A video of the full conference can be found here.
About Activate 48
Activate 48, founded in 2021, is a coalition of BIPOC-led movement organizations working to envision and resource an intersectional & progressive agenda for the future of Arizona. Our partner organizations include Arizona Center for Empowerment (ACE), Arizona Coalition for Change, and Chispa Arizona.
About Vote Solar
Vote Solar is a nonprofit advocacy organization working to advance state-level policies that make solar and clean energy solutions accessible to all. Since 2002, Vote Solar has worked to build a just and equitable energy future by leveraging deep policy expertise, strategic partnerships, and public engagement. In the face of powerful opposition, Vote Solar champions bold solutions that expand clean energy access, drive investment in frontline communities, and accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy.