Clean Energy Companies and Leaders Oppose House Republican’s Default Ploy to Defund Clean Energy Jobs and the Inflation Reduction Act
(Washington, D.C.) – Over a dozen clean energy companies, organizations, and leaders opposed House Republicans’ dangerous default plan to defund clean energy jobs or throw the world economy into disarray. The companies’ statements are below (listed alphabetically by organization name).
Aligned Climate Capital, Peter Davidson, CEO: “It is incredibly disappointing to see Kevin McCarthy play politics with the good-paying American jobs created by the Inflation Reduction Act. As an investor myself, I have seen first-hand how clean energy tax credits authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act have unlocked billions of dollars in new investment to decarbonize our economy and create work in clean energy. Just this month, Aligned portfolio company Summit Ridge Energy announced plans to buy 1.2 gigawatts of solar panels from Qcells North America manufacturing plant in Dalton, GA, supporting more than 2,500 jobs and bringing low-cost solar power to more than 140,000 homes and businesses around the country. I can say with certainty that this historical deal would not have happened without the Inflation Reduction Act. Aligned and our portfolio companies are counting on the Biden administration and Congress to find a way to raise the debt ceiling without jeopardizing our fastest-growing energy sector.”
Arcadia, Kiran Bhatraju, CEO and co-founder: “It's clear that some in congress are desperate to sow doubts about the IRA and derail the massive economic boom that this landmark legislation has already set in motion. This boom is a direct result of federal investments into every type of clean energy technology, including community solar, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and vehicles, energy efficiency retrofits, rooftop solar, heat pumps and component manufacturing. These investments will help propel the US economy for years to come and support our clean energy transition. Now is the time to double down on these initiatives, not waste time with political theatrics.”
Bridgehead Capital Partners (BCP), Clay Multer, managing director: “As a US Army veteran who served during the Global War on Terror (GWOT), I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of failing to invest in the critical infrastructure, health, and well-being of a society. The Inflation Reduction Act represents an investment in the American dream and a prosperous future for all.”
CleanCapital, Jon Powers, president and co-founder: “America's clean energy industry is at a transformational moment, enabled by the tax credits solidified in the Inflation Reduction Act. This policy is helping to secure billions of dollars in private investment; creating good-paying American jobs in the heartland; and spurring significant growth to our domestic manufacturing in places like Republican-led Georgia. The irresponsible actions of the House GOP will stall progress on the energy transition and cost Americans thousands of jobs.”
Clean Energy for America, Andrew Reagan, executive director: “Congress should strengthen, not undermine, American jobs and consumer savings. That means protecting, not repealing, the job-creating Inflation Reduction Act,” said Andrew Reagan, executive director of Clean Energy for America. “That is why we’re making sure that House Republicans hear from the 3-million strong clean energy workforce. Our voice, and the voice of America’s families and consumers, won’t be ignored. It’s unacceptable to play political games with people’s livelihoods.”
CES Renewables, Kevin Doffing, CCO: “Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act would be a tremendous mistake harming America’s clean energy workforce for years to come. The Inflation Reduction Act has given us a boost in training and preparing the next generation of America’s clean energy workforce, including many veterans and former fossil fuel workers. By cutting the IRA, Congress would be turning their backs on clean energy workers.”
CleanFiber, Jonathan Strimling, CEO: “The clean energy manufacturing tax credits have provided businesses with investment certainty that is critical for CleanFiber’s ability to attract capital to grow our operation. Repealing these credits would jeopardize our plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in production capacity at multiple facilities nationwide and to create hundreds of good-paying clean energy jobs. At CleanFiber we’re thrilled to do our part to build a more energy-efficient world – now is not the time to go backwards.”
Dylan Green, Catherine McLean, CEO and founder: “Within six months of being signed into law, the Inflation Reduction Act created over 100,000 jobs. It is also estimated that 99 percent of those who will be working on climate change-related challenges by 2030 have not begun yet. Congress must defend, and further expand upon, the Inflation Reduction Act to both stave off the worst effects of global climate change as well as spur the creation of millions of jobs.”
Energy Allies, Yesenia Rivera, executive director: “Speaker McCarthy and the Republican members of the House are determined to defund jobs and clean energy by targeting the IRA’s environmental justice provisions. We can’t put the weight of our debt ceiling on the backs of working class families by cutting programs for income-qualified people. Energy Allies will always target systemic racism and economic injustice by advocating for clean energy investments in climate-impacted communities.”
Grayline Group, Joseph Kopser, president, “I am proud to say that the Inflation Reduction Act is one of the most significant financial investments into American interests in a generation. The tax incentives provided have sparked a new era of innovation in the clean energy sector that rivals the last industrial revolution. This investment is essential for the long-term health and well-being of our society—both economically and environmentally.”
LOCOAL Impact Technologies (LIT), Miles Murray, CEO: “The Inflation Reduction Act is critical to the future of America, as it represents a once-in-a-generation investment in renewable energy sources and environmental conservation. Over 77% of Americans support this transition, and to reject it would put thousands of businesses and millions of jobs at risk. The act provides essential tax incentives for clean energy companies to scale and meet the increasing demand for energy. By supporting the Inflation Reduction Act, we are investing in a sustainable and prosperous future for all and securing our place as a global leader in the 21st century.”
Moxion Power, Paul Huelskamp, CEO: “The clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act are already helping Moxion scale production of our mobile power generation products and technology, creating hundreds of jobs and decarbonizing industries such as construction, utilities, film production, live events, and disaster response. Axing these critical policies would kill jobs, have devastating impacts for the future for clean energy manufacturing in the U.S., and hurt our nation’s ability to meet science-based climate goals. The IRA is also clearly strengthening America’s energy security by mobilizing the investments necessary to create a robust, reliable, and sustainable domestic battery supply chain. Without these incentives and the long-term certainty provided by the IRA, the U.S. will lose the race to develop the industries of the future.”
Nyle Systems, Ton Mathissen, CEO: “The clean energy manufacturing tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act are enabling Nyle Systems to grow our operation, create more good-paying jobs, and boost Maine’s economy. Repealing these incentives would be crippling for clean energy manufacturing companies like ours, and could make building decarbonization and electrification prohibitively expensive for many businesses and homeowners. We expect the government to find a path forward without putting the future of the clean energy economy at risk.”
Sense, Mike Phillips, co-founder & CEO. “Electrifying homes (and transportation) is critical to helping the US meet its decarbonization goals. We can't be successful if only some are able to make the transition. The tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act help ensure that everyone, but in particular those from disadvantaged communities, can take advantage of programs like upgrading their homes with more efficient cooling and heating, adding solar panels and more. In the process, they improve the efficiency of their homes, lowering bills and carbon impact. Further, with more homes electrifying and/or adding solar, the need for skilled technicians will fuel job growth and continue to boost our economy. These credits should not be leveraged in the battle over the debt ceiling - doing so is not only gambling with our climate, but is harming the very constituents our leaders purport to serve."
Solar Energy Manufacturing for America (SEMA), Mike Carr, executive director: “The clean energy manufacturing tax credits have already spurred billions of dollars of investments and the promise of millions of new good-paying jobs, throughout the country. Repealing these popular clean energy incentives would be an extraordinarily dangerous business proposition that would doom the United States’ ability to establish a resilient, domestic solar supply chain.”
Shifted Energy, Forest Frizzell, co-founder and CEO: “The Inflation Reduction Act has the potential to bring much needed clean energy solutions to millions of Americans regardless of political affiliation, location, and income level. This is not just the right thing to do, it makes economical and environmental sense, and makes America a global leader in climate innovation.”
Texas Twister Energy Corporation, Nathan Swartzbaugh, CEO: “The tax incentives provided by the Inflation Reduction Act will enable companies to expand operations and create thousands of new jobs in the clean energy sector. This investment will not only benefit our environment but also our economy. The financial numbers speak for themselves: the clean energy industry has already created over 3 million jobs in the US, and this number is rapidly growing due to the Inflation Reduction Act.”
UtilityAPI, Devin Hampton, CEO: “Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits would be devastating for America, our rapidly-growing clean energy industry, and our planet. These incentives are already accelerating job growth, private sector investments, and the installation of clean energy in homes and businesses throughout the country. Gutting the Inflation Reduction Act would undermine our country’s leadership and the accompanying economic might in this growing industry. Axing the tax credits would be detrimental to our business, kill good-paying jobs, and put a healthy, clean energy future at risk.”
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Clean Energy for America: Clean Energy for America is of, for, and by the rapidly emerging clean energy workforce. Led by some of the most influential leaders across the industry, CE4A has operations across the country, mobilizing the clean energy industry for grassroots engagement – carrying forward the momentum and demand for a clean energy economy.