As Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee prepare to release their portion of the GOP legislative package working its way through Congress, energy tax credits approved under the Biden administration remain a major part of their debate. [emphasis, links added]
At issue are clean energy credits that were enacted under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, known as the IRA, and largely eliminated in the version of the bill that the House passed.
The bill would halt roughly $522 billion in investments approved in the IRA from being spent in communities across the country.
The House bill would roll back incentives for wind, solar, and hydrogen power, phase out consumer tax credits for new electric vehicles, and terminate some credits for projects that begin construction more than 60 days after the bill’s enactment, among other changes.
Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle say they are fielding calls from advocates and energy industry leaders concerned that, without significant changes from the Senate, Americans will face higher energy bills and fewer jobs.
And the credits are already becoming fodder for political attacks. Groups like Protect Our Jobs, a political action committee spending money advocating for clean energy jobs, are funneling money into ads targeting House Republicans who supported the reconciliation bill.
“I’m a Republican, but now I’m seeing Republicans in Washington try to eliminate jobs like mine,” says an electrician working in solar energy in one ad.
A handful of GOP senators are advocating against a slash-and-burn approach on the energy credits.
GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, John Curtis of Utah, Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Jerry Moran of Kansas cautioned against a “full-scale repeal of current credits” in an April letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.
Top photo via Protect Our Jobs/YouTube screencap
Read rest at KPBS 65
“…cautioned against a “full-scale repeal of current credits” in an April letter to Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D.”
Six+ weeks ago, and they already had ‘thoughts’ about credits. Some sort of personal interests perhaps? Getting reelected?
Repeal the 17th Amendment.