3 days ago
Disappointed that Newhouse caved on supporting energy tax credits
I had high hopes that our Representative Dan Newhouse would leverage the narrow Republican majority to retain continuation of the energy tax credits that are powering $5.5 billion in energy projects in our district.
He was not alone in his appeal to U.S. House leadership for continuation, for which I am thankful. However, I am deeply disappointed in his vote for the budget reconciliation bill that requires energy projects to 'commence construction' within 60 days of the bill's enactment and phases out the energy tax credits by 2028.
Rep. Newhouse did not fold alone. Indeed, all of those Republican representatives who appealed to House leadership went along with the crowd.
The pain of losing the energy tax credits, and the pain of losing Medicaid funding for so many people, is being driven by the Republican insistence on extension of the tax cuts first passed by Congress in 2017. That's a fine deal for those getting big tax cuts. But what about the rest of us?
I'm sure there were multiple considerations in his vote. Rep. Newhouse owes his constituents an explanation, and not just one written for his MAGA constituents.
Democrats made the difference in Newhouse's two re-elections over MAGA candidates. Their patience with him is wearing very thin. Without a vote for at least one of their priorities, he cannot count on their continued support.
While the reconciliation bill will damage most of the clean energy and transportation industries, it does keep energy tax credits for advanced nuclear energy and restores 'transferability' of a nuclear production tax credit.
That's important, because nuclear energy provides reliable carbon-free energy.
Wind and solar energy are inexpensive when the wind blows and the sun shines, but are not when energy must be stored or transmitted for when and where they don't.
Attention now shifts to the Senate, which also has Republican support for energy tax credits and other differences with the House.
We can expect the Senate version of the budget reconciliation bill to differ from the House version, so the House will be called to negotiate with the Senate and vote on a final version.
I urge Rep. Newhouse to leverage the narrow Republican majority to restore continuation of energy tax credits in the negotiated bill.
Climate scientist Steve Ghan leads the Tri-Cities chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby.
