We’re in a solar sprint since Trump signed the one big ugly budget bill. Trump’s fossil fueled fascist budget terminates tax credits for wind, solar, and other clean energy unless they start construction within a year.
There’s some debate and haggling going on about which projects will qualify and how to define “construction start date”, especially for state and local governments. But the writing is on the wall – if you get going fast on clean energy projects you can still cash in on federal subsidies. Sign & send a letter now to tell your Governor to accelerate solar construction before subsidies expire.
Governors, if they’re serious about the climate crisis, could be the heroes of this story. Any governor could break ground on dozens of new solar and wind projects – even if they don’t have all the contracts, materials, and plans finalized yet – and deliver millions of dollars of clean energy and lower electricity rates to their constituents. But most politicians are still stuck thinking of solar and wind as “alternative” energy sources – the whole foods of energy, as Bill McKibben likes to say. But the truth is that solar and wind are the cheapest forms of electricity, and the fastest growing sources of new power in America, and around the world. And, of course, they’re also better for the climate, clean air, and the general public. Just 15% more solar energy could substantially cut our emissions of global warming pollution, as well as air toxics, smog and other nasty stuff.
Fossil fueled fascists are trying to fight the rising tide of clean energy by increasing subsidies for fossil fuels and ending them for clean energy. They want you to pay more for dirtier energy. But because the budget bill wasn’t passed until July 2025, it doesn’t go into effect until next tax year — 2026. So while it will be much more expensive to build renewable power in America next year, we still have a few months left to start building the clean energy future we need and deserve.
We need governors across the United States to sprint forward, and clear the way for clean energy, right now.
- Gavin Newsom could help schools build affordable rooftop solar in California.
- JB Pritzker can clear a huge backlog of solar permits in Illinois.
- Tim Walz can boost community solar projects in Minnesota.
- All of New England has already adopted 100% renewable energy standards, if they start investing in publicly owned renewables now they could produce more solar power than California by 2030.
But if projects don’t get started in 2025, they may not be built for years to come. That’s why we’re calling on every governor to embrace a solar sprint mentality to maximize new solar construction before the IRA credits expire!
We are in an emergency situation to implement energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Stop enabling fossil fuels with subsidies and project approvals!