Republican Lawmakers Could Threaten Clean Energy Jobs in Their Home States

Renewable energy has driven a manufacturing boom in the U.S., but that growth is at risk as Congress considers cutting tax incentives tied to the Inflation Control Act (IRA), a landmark piece of federal legislation passed in 2022. Since the IRA was enacted, solar, wind, and battery companies have announced plans to create or expand 250 manufacturing facilities. If operational by 2030, these projects could generate over 575,000 jobs and contribute $86 billion annually to the GDP, according to a report by the American Clean Power Association (ACP). Despite these benefits, Republican lawmakers may roll back these incentives as part of former President Donald Trump’s plan to pass a ‘big, beautiful’ spending bill aimed at dismantling what he calls a ‘green new scam.’ The ACP notes that 73% of active clean energy facilities are in Republican states, with solar manufacturing alone supporting over 75,000 jobs. However, the industry’s reliance on Chinese supply chains and concerns over human rights violations, particularly in Xinjiang, have complicated the IRA’s goal of boosting domestic manufacturing. A proposed bill from the House Ways and Means Committee seeks to phase out tax credits for renewable energy, potentially leading to significant job losses in the clean energy sector.