Biden Unveils $7 Billion Solar Initiative and Climate Jobs on Earth Day

President Joe Biden is set to unveil a $7 billion initiative from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar for All grant competition during his visit to Prince William Forest Park in Virginia on Monday, in celebration of Earth Day. Alongside this announcement, the administration will introduce the inaugural batch of climate-focused job opportunities at ClimateCorps.gov.

The White House aims for the Solar for All grants to assist over 900,000 households in low-income and marginalized communities to adopt solar power. Projections suggest potential savings of approximately $400 per household in electricity expenses and the prevention of 30 million metric tons of carbon emissions over a 25-year period.

According to the White House, selected entities will allocate funds to states, territories, tribes, municipalities, and non-profit organizations nationwide. These funds will facilitate the development of sustainable solar programs tailored for low-income and disadvantaged communities, promoting the deployment and utilization of residential solar solutions.

The unveiling of 2,000 jobs is just the beginning, with an anticipated total of 20,000 job opportunities aimed at engaging youth in conservation, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure endeavors to combat climate change.

These job openings, available through ClimateCorps.gov, will span 36 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. The White House emphasizes that these roles will be hosted by various organizations dedicated to advancing clean energy, conservation efforts, and climate resilience.

The newly launched website, initially in beta form, will continually update its listings with fresh American Climate Corps positions. Its overarching objective is to streamline the process of finding employment opportunities related to climate action, while concurrently equipping individuals with the requisite skills for the evolving clean energy and climate resilience workforce.