Florida Representative Kathy Castor (D) heavily criticized the Republican majority in Congress as they aim to cut clean energy and incentives.
“It makes no sense to rip away clean energy savings at a time of rising electric bills, rising demand, rising pollution, and rising temperatures,” Castor said.
President Donald Trump announced last month that clean energy savings for U.S. civilians would be discontinued as the incentives were cut from the U.S. tax code.
As a result of the savings cuts, US consumers will no longer be able to receive money back on their tax returns for rooftop solar installations, electric vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, and other such devices.
The federal tax credit typically takes $9,000 off the cost of rooftop solar installations for the average customer, according to estimates from EnergySage, an online marketplace that connects customers to solar installers in their area.
Rep. Castor claims the savings cuts only serve to give tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy.
“But Republicans in Congress did it anyway to give massive tax breaks to the ultra wealthy,” she added.
In May, Trump proposed cutting next year’s budget for the U.S. Energy Department by about $3.5 billion, $2.5 billion of which would be cut from the agency’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, a steep 74% reduction from its current budget.
Oregon Senator Ron Wyden (D) said the Republican budget is “anti-science” and will harm clean energy industries, which are gaining traction and growing in parts of Oregon.
“I just had five town halls in eastern Oregon where wind turbines and solar panels are taking full advantage of renewable energy options that lower prices for consumers and fight the climate crisis,” Wyden said.
The senator continued slamming the Republican party, claiming “this latest Republican scheme to slash research investments in clean energy would be both nonsense and anti-science.”
Clean energy savings will expire in the coming months, ending on June 30, 2026, when the ‘Home EV Chargers Credit’ is officially discontinued.
