The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has restored funding for Nevada’s $156 million community solar initiative following a federal court order. However, $7 million designated for electric school buses and $20 million for tribal infrastructure projects remain frozen, leaving key programs in uncertainty.
Solar Funds Restored After Court Order
A federal judge ruled earlier this week that the Trump administration must lift its freeze on certain climate-related funds allocated under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and Inflation Reduction Act. This decision has allowed the Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) to reclaim access to its full $156 million Solar for All award.
Kirsten Stasio, CEO of NCEF, welcomed the court’s decision. “As of February 7, 2025, the Nevada Clean Energy Fund has regained access to the full $156 million of Solar for All award funds, ensuring continued investment in solar energy projects across Nevada. We appreciate the leadership of Nevada officials in advocating for our communities and securing these critical resources,” she said.
This development comes after weeks of legal uncertainty triggered by President Donald Trump’s executive order halting numerous clean energy grants and contracts. While this ruling restores a major portion of Nevada’s climate funding, it does not extend to other crucial programs that remain locked in bureaucratic limbo.
School Bus Electrification Still on Hold
Despite the court’s intervention, Nevada’s access to $7.7 million in EPA funds for electric school buses remains blocked. The Clean School Bus Program, designed to provide 25 electric buses to rural districts at no upfront cost, is still affected by the freeze.
The districts awaiting these funds include:
- Lander County
- Elko County
- Lyon County
- Douglas County
- Carson City School District
Rural counties are particularly reliant on this funding to modernize outdated diesel bus fleets. Without access to the grant, these school districts must either delay their plans or seek alternative funding sources.
Tribal Infrastructure Projects Face Uncertain Future
Another significant funding block affects the Walker River Paiute Tribe, which was awarded $20 million for water and solar infrastructure projects. The funding was expected to benefit the 1,200 tribal members living on the Walker River Reservation.
Melanie McFalls, the newly elected Chairwoman of the Walker River Paiute Tribe, expressed frustration over the freeze. “This funding has infrastructure projects that we are unable to fulfill due to this funding freeze. I am in Washington, D.C. right now, meeting with our congressional delegates to stress this funding freeze and other issues that the Trump Administration has… put in place,” she said.
The grant, awarded in December, was intended to:
- Upgrade energy efficiency in 150 homes
- Install solar and battery storage for the Tribe’s Nutritional Wellness Building
- Expand and secure critical water infrastructure
Without access to the funds, these projects remain stalled, affecting both immediate infrastructure needs and long-term sustainability efforts for the tribe.
What Happens Next?
Legal experts suggest that further court rulings may be needed to fully release the frozen funds. While the EPA has complied with the court’s order regarding community solar projects, the agency has yet to confirm when or if it will release the remaining obligated funds.
For now, school districts and tribal communities must wait—caught in the crossfire of a legal and political battle that shows no signs of ending soon.
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