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Government shutdown looms after Trump-backed bill fails; Environmental groups sue CA Air Resources Board over biogas credits; NY elected officials work to electrify municipal buildings; Need a mental health boost? Talking hot dog is here.

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President-elect Trump repeats his threats to jail Jan. 6th committee members, while also putting a stop-gap spending plan in jeopardy. A court removes Fani Willis from Trump's Georgia election interference case. The FAA restricts drones in New Jersey, and a Federal Reserve rate cut shakes markets.

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Rural folks could soon be shut out of loans for natural disasters if Project 2025 has its way, Taos, New Mexico weighs options for its housing shortage, and the top states providing America's Christmas trees revealed.

Federal funding reduces barriers to solar for WV schools, churches

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Monday, September 9, 2024   

Wayne County Schools and a church in Princeton have installed solar panels with help from the Inflation Reduction Act, local grants and solar developers.

Before the federal legislation, only homeowners and commercial entities could claim tax credits when installing solar panels but now small community nonprofits and schools can take advantage.

Dan Conant, founder and president of Solar Holler, said a recent power purchase agreement will put as many as 10,000 solar panels atop Wayne County school district buildings, one of the largest projects of its kind in the Mountain State.

"Every dollar we're able to reduce their utility bills by goes back into the mission," Conant explained. "In the Wayne County School project case, we're actually going to be able to cut the school board's bills by about $150,000 a year and pay for three teachers."

Signed into law by President Biden two years ago, the Inflation Reduction Act provided $369 billion toward boosting investment in renewable energy and climate infrastructure.

Autumn Long, director of the Appalachian Solar Finance Fund, said utility bills can be a major financial burden for rural churches. She pointed to Lifeline Church of God, a small congregation in Princeton, which recently used tax credits and a direct grant of around $44,000 from her organization to install solar panels. She said the church estimates new savings of around $65,000 a year.

"It's a wonderful investment, but the upfront cost is a barrier for many of these local community institutions that we work with," Long observed. "We want to try and help lower those barriers and create solutions for folks to access the upfront financing they need."

The Inflation Reduction Act provides a 30% tax credit for solar systems installed on residential homes between 2022 and 2032. According to federal data, solar power could drive nearly half the nation's energy production by 2050.


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(deagreez/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

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Environment

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Environment

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Social Issues

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