Legislation Details

File #: 25-6026    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Discussion Item Status: Passed
File created: 9/10/2025 In control: Commissioners Court
On agenda: 9/18/2025 Final action: 9/18/2025
Title: Request by the County Attorney for approval of an order authorizing legal action and litigation expenses in connection with the federal government's illegal termination of the Solar for All Program.

Primary Department: County Attorney

Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Christian Menefee

 

Secondary Department: County Administration

Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Jesse Dickerman

 

Regular or Supplemental RCA: Supplemental RCA

 

Type of Request: Discussion Item

 

Project ID (if applicable): N/A

Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): N/A

 

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MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): N/A

Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal:  N/A - Goal not applicable to request

 

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Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): N/A - Not a grant item

 

Request Summary (Agenda Caption):

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Request by the County Attorney for approval of an order authorizing legal action and litigation expenses in connection with the federal government’s illegal termination of the Solar for All Program.

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Background and Discussion: On August 7th, Harris County received a termination letter from the EPA, purporting to end the Texas Solar for All program and rescind the grant the Texas Solar for All Coalition received under that program. CAO has serious doubts about the legality of this termination notice and is seeking to challenge the EPA’s decision to terminate the program.

 

The Texas Solar for All Coalition is led by Harris County.  The Coalition was awarded $250 million by the EPA to increase access to, and make more affordable, solar energy. With this money, Harris County would be able to cut energy bills, strengthen the energy grid, create thousands of local jobs, invest in American manufacturing, and give our communities added resilience in the face of more severe climate disasters. The end of this program would be a huge loss for Harris County, and Texas more generally, and so it is vital that action be taken to protect this investment in our communities.

 

 

 

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Economy Initiative (Goal 3): Choose an item.

Health Initiative (Goal 4): Choose an item.

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Housing Initiative (Goal 6): Choose an item.

 

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Anticipated Court Date: 9/18/2025

Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.

 

Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item

 

Contact(s) name, title, department: Andrea Mintzer, Executive Assistant, Office of the County Attorney Christian D. Menefee

 

 

Attachments (if applicable): N/A