To: The United States Senate
Pass The Low Income Solar Act
The Low Income Solar Act (LISA) introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders is designed to assist low-wealth communities, communities of color, and tribal communities with facilitated access to solar power. Many low-income families who would benefit the most from a reduction in their electricity bills are not taking advantage of solar power source due to a lack of access to financing options, and/or living under a roof that cannot support a solar panel. LISA includes various mechanisms to correct this. Each senator, including yourself, on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has either low wealth communities, communities of color, tribal communities or a combination of all three in your states. As such all of your constituencies would benefit from the bill's passage. As Chairwoman of this committee we call on you to support the expeditious passage of this bipartisan and mutually beneficial bill.
Why is this important?
1. For homeowners with suitable roofs this legislation would provide grants to help reduce the upfront costs of installing solar panels. For renters or families unable to install solar on their roofs the bill provides loans to solar developers to connect low-income families to solar either physically, or virtually through the construction of community solar facilities. In all cases this bill encourages job training to local communities.
2. Promotes diversity in the workforce by prioritizing loans for woman- and minority owned small businesses.
3. Sets aside a portion of funds for developing solar economies in Appalachia, Indian tribal lands, and Alaskan native communities.