Tribes lose $260M in canceled solar energy grants

The Trump administration canceled nearly $7 billion in Solar for All grants earlier this month, including $260 million awarded for projects in tribal and rural communities in and around South Dakota, according to South Dakota Searchlight. The Environmental Protection Agency said the funding source was eliminated in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law by President Trump.

Indigenized Energy was managing $135.6 million awarded to the Northern Plains Tribal Coalition, which includes 14 tribes across five states. Founder and Executive Director Cody Two Bears, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, said the cancellation is “another broken promise to Native tribes.” Indigenized Energy had planned thousands of projects, hired 20 people and expected to bring on 70 more, but staff were laid off after the cuts. Two Bears said the group is seeking alternative funding to continue the work.