Today, the City of St. Louis has been announced as one of the selectees to receive a significant federal grant through the Solar for All program. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency revealed that St. Louis is part of two coalition groups among 60 selectees set to benefit from a total of $7 billion in awards, aimed at delivering residential solar projects to over 900,000 households nationwide.
St. Louis was chosen to be a part of the Missouri Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority as well as the Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition. The combined awards for these coalitions exceed $300 million, with the specific allocation for St. Louis City yet to be determined.
Mayor Tishaura O. Jones expressed the city’s commitment to sustainability and combating climate change, stating, “We are paying attention to the realities of climate change, and St. Louis City is at the forefront of the fight for our future.” She further highlighted the city’s initiatives, mentioning, “In our applications, we proposed expanding our Healthy Homes Program to include solar panels as an efficiency upgrade and asked the state to start a low-interest loan program for solar and storage.”
The Missouri Environmental Improvement and Energy Resources Authority (EIERA) and the Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition play crucial roles in advancing environmental and energy initiatives in the region. The Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition, a collaborative effort spanning multiple states, is dedicated to providing community development capital and solutions to support small businesses, particularly those in disadvantaged communities.
Moreover, St. Louis has recently been selected to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ American Sustainable Cities initiative, further solidifying its commitment to building a sustainable and prosperous future for its residents. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones emphasized the city’s dedication to sustainability, stating, “In St. Louis, we are taking action to build a sustainable and safe future for our city.”
As St. Louis continues to prioritize sustainability and environmental stewardship, these recent developments underscore the city’s proactive approach towards addressing climate change and enhancing the quality of life for its residents.
