The Senate today passed the Reconciliation Bill, leaving the decisive vote in the hands of the House of Representatives. Three Republicans voted against the bill, including Susan Collins of Maine, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Rand Paul from Kentucky. The legislation - if it moves to President Trump's desk for signature in it's current form - would drastically scale back spending on clean energy programs. Statements from industry groups as they are published will be posted here.
Ray Long, President and CEO of the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE)
“The clean energy industry has been clear-eyed that a phase out of the clean energy tax credits was coming. While overall this is not the outcome we had hoped for, our industry will continue to press forward.
“Right now, American businesses have over $300 billion invested in renewable projects around the country. Wind, solar, and storage are the only energy sources that can be deployed at the scale and speed required to meet near-term demand and stabilize the grid. These technologies are essential to American energy security, supporting our economic prosperity and technological leadership.
“Right now, China is investing in clean energy to further consolidate their advantage in supply chains, manufacturing, and the AI arms race. They are focused on beating the United States — while we’ve just spent months debating which generation sources we support.
“We’re grateful to the lawmakers who stood up for policy certainty and a level playing field. The clean energy industry will keep building, keep hiring, and keep innovating. And we will continue to work with policymakers who believe that American energy leadership must include all technologies, including wind, solar, and storage, because our economy, our grid, and our global standing depend on it."
Americans for Clean Power (ACP)
“The Senate reconciliation package is a step backward for American energy policy. The intentional effort to undermine the fastest-growing sources of electric power will lead to increased energy bills, decreased grid reliability, and the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. Most discouraging is forfeiting the progress we’ve made in manufacturing batteries, wind turbines and solar panels, and the economic growth occurring in communities across the country.
“With energy demand skyrocketing, we must work as a nation to maximize all domestic energy resources. While it was expected that this legislation would shift the direction of U.S. energy policy, we can’t afford to pick winners and losers when it comes to reliable, American-made energy. We need all of it— and we need it fast.
“While the twelve-month phase out of clean energy tax incentives is very aggressive, the final bill avoids two punitive measures that would have needlessly harmed American energy production. Notably, the Senate removed provisions that would have changed tax policy retroactively and undermined energy projects already in development. The legislation also removed a new tax increase targeting only wind and solar power that was added with no notice and little explanation.
“We appreciate the members of Congress who worked to get this legislation to a better place. Their efforts reinforce the basic principle that Congress should not bet against progress in any part of our economy.
“The American clean power sector is central to our nation’s success and will continue to play a growing role in the true all of the above energy strategy that is required to deliver affordable, reliable, and clean power to the American people.”
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
“Despite limited improvements, this legislation undermines the very foundation of America’s manufacturing comeback and global energy leadership. If this bill becomes law, families will face higher electric bills, factories will shut down, Americans will lose their jobs, and our electric grid will grow weaker.
“Enacting this legislation would set back America’s global competitiveness, destabilize our energy future, and weaken the very industries that power our economy and strengthen our national security—while surrendering the 21st-century tech race to China. It will strip the ability of millions of American families to choose the energy savings, energy resilience, and energy freedom that solar and storage provide.
“As the House re-considers this legislation, every member should ask themselves what kind of future they’re voting for. Our communities, our businesses, and our futures are on the line.”
