Biden touts billions in federal grants for solar, new ‘Climate Corps’ at PW Forest Park

In the 1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created a Civilian Conservation Corps, and about 2,000 of its members worked from 1935 to 1942 to build what is now Prince William Forest Park. 

The president also announced $7 billion in federal grant money for Solar for All, an initiative that aims to give 900,000 low- and moderate-income households access to residential solar power. The program will help cover the hefty cost of installing solar panels or enabling lower-income residents to participate in solar-power purchasing agreements. 

Both programs are part of the Inflation Reduction Act, sweeping legislation Congress passed in 2022. Solar for All taps into a $27 billion “green bank” created by the law to reduce climate and air pollution and send money to disadvantaged communities, according to The Associated Press. 

“Thousands of young Americans in the Civilian Conservation Corps built this park, providing jobs, recreation, hope and healing at the time,” Biden said to a crowd of about 150 invited attendees, a mix of elected officials, members of AmeriCorps and environmental groups. “We know today we face another kind of existential threat that requires equally bold and clear action.” 

Of Solar for All, Biden called it “a big deal” that could help families cut hundreds from their monthly utility bills without the upfront expenses of installing solar panels.  

In connection with today’s announcement, U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner announced that $156 million of the money would be awarded to the Virginia Department of Energy; the state agency will distribute it to nonprofits to eliminate barriers to solar through low-cost financing as well as leasing and power purchase agreements. 

Biden appeared at the event with Sen. U.S. Bernie Sanders, D-Vermont, who wrote the Solar for All legislation, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York who touted “the power of young people” to tackle climate change as part of American Climate Corps. 

Ocasio-Cortez noted the symbolism of announcing the American Climate Corps jobs at Prince William Forest Park,“the result of the original Civil Conservation Corps.” 

“Today, over 90 years later, the American Climate Corps will follow in these footsteps and go beyond by giving young Americans a chance to take on the climate crisis while training for the careers of tomorrow,” she said. 

AmeriCorps, an independent federal agency that offers national service programs, will serve as the lead coordinator for the American Climate Corps.  

Biden also announced Monday a partnership with the North American Building Trades Unions to provide training for American Climate Corps members. The program will launch in 36 states, and in Puerto Rico and Washington D.C., he said. 

The announcements come as polls show Biden struggling with young voters largely because of his support for Israel during the conflict in Gaza that has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and an ongoing humanitarian crisis. Biden’s last appearance in Prince William County was repeatedly interrupted  by protesters.  

Biden sought to make a distinction between his position on climate change and that of President Donald Trump, his Republican opponent, who spent Earth Day in a New York courtroom for his ongoing trial on charges of mischaracterizing money used to pay off an adult film star. 

“Our MAGA Republican friends don’t seem to think it’s a crisis,” Biden said of the warming climate. “They want to repeal the Inflation Reduction Act, which provides the funding for most of these programs, and roll back protections for clean air and clean water. Anyone in or out of government who willfully denies the impacts of climate change is condemning the American people to a very dangerous future.” 

Reach Jill Palermo at jpalermo@fauquier.com