Despite last-minute changes, US Senate bill deals big blow to renewable energy
Summary Senate bill complicates new wind, solar projects Bill could lead to higher utility bills, job losses House urged to improve usability of wind, solar tax credits WASHINGTON, July 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate's massive budget bill that passed on Tuesday will make it harder to develop wind and solar energy projects, despite the removal of some contentious provisions, industry advocates and lawmakers said. The Senate dropped a proposed excise tax on solar and wind energy projects that don't meet strict standards after last-minute negotiations with key Republican senators seeking better terms for renewables. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, fellow Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, whose votes were crucial to the bill's passage, had introduced an amendment calling for removal of that tax, which caught lawmakers by surprise after it made it into the last draft text. Many Republican ...