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Trump’s Executive Order Throws Caution to the Wind (and Solar)

  Enacted in August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (the “IRA”) expanded energy tax credits by increasing credit amounts, broadening eligibility beyond wind and solar, and allowing credits to be developed and sold, as outlined  here . The winds have now shifted . Two years later, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (the “OBBBA”) slows that momentum by  delivering a final blow to wind and solar , terminating the tech-neutral investment tax credit (“ITC”) and production tax credit (“PTC”) for projects that are not placed in service before 2028, with a safe harbor for projects that begin construction within 12 months of enactment. The OBBBA also  introduces sweeping “foreign entity of concern” limitations that could disqualify many projects from the credits entirely. The wind-down  doesn’t stop there . On July 7, Trump issued an  executive order  giving Treasury 45 days to issue new guidance on what it means to begin construction, dispelling any doubt about ...
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Trump’s Attack on Wind, Solar Cuts Deeper Than Industry Expected

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  August 8, 2025 Takeaways  The Trump administration has instituted permitting reviews and imposed standards that threaten US wind and solar developments, and has rescinded Biden-era decisions earmarking coastal waters for future wind turbines. The actions have contributed to the cancellation or delay of more than $22 billion worth of clean energy projects since January and the loss of thousands of jobs, according to an analysis from the E2 advocacy group. Trump administration officials say the moves are justified to ensure the US has an abundance of always-on power sources,  with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stating that "leveling the playing field in permitting supports energy development that’s reliable, affordable and built to last ".   President Donald Trump is escalating his attacks on wind and solar power from the rhetorical to the tangible, mounting a rapid-fire campaign that exceeds the industries’ worst fears.   In just the past few weeks, the Trump ...
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The Green-Energy Bill Is Finally Coming Due

  Rahm Emanuel conflates “taxpayers” with “ratepayers” as he laments the federal government’s reductions of energy tax credits in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“ Big Electric Bill? Thank Trump ,”   op-ed, Sept. 18). There’s plenty to debate about these incentives, but no one in or around government should pretend they’re free. The U.S. Treasury last year estimated  the two biggest energy-related credits, used primarily to subsidize wind and solar projects, would cost taxpayers $425 billion over the next decade. Congress slashed future taxpayer costs by phasing out these credits. The ratepayer cost and profile of future electricity generation will now change.  Instead of putting more charges on the national credit card , more of the cost of electricity generation will show up on monthly bills. This will prompt discussion about the state and federal policies that, years before the big, beautiful bill, caused electricity rates to begin climbing. Here’s hoping it ...
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