coffee mug near open folder with tax withholding paper.

Senate Republicans move to cut clean energy tax credits despite bipartisan benefits

Congressional Republicans are advancing a tax plan that would slash incentives for clean energy and electric vehicles, drawing criticism from advocates and some GOP members whose districts benefit from green investments.

Alexa St. John reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

Senate Republicans proposed a draft tax bill that would phase out clean energy tax credits more slowly than the House version, but still dramatically reduce support for solar, wind, and electric vehicles. The bill would also end incentives for home energy efficiency upgrades and leased EVs.
Critics argue the Senate plan would still gut key provisions of President Biden’s 2022 climate law, risking job losses and slowing the U.S. transition away from fossil fuels. The changes could raise energy costs and hinder new projects, especially in Republican-led districts that have benefited most.
The bill includes some support for nuclear, geothermal, and hydropower, while accelerating the phase-out of consumer credits for electric vehicles and rooftop solar. The GOP aims to finalize the bill by July 4 for President Trump’s approval.

Key quote:

“This is a 20-pound sledgehammer swung at clean energy. It would mean higher energy prices, lost manufacturing jobs, shuttered factories, and a worsening climate crisis.”

— Jackie Wong, senior vice president for climate and energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council

Why this matters:

The clean energy tax credits at risk helped drive a surge in U.S. renewable energy development over the past two years, unlocking billions in private investment and creating jobs across red and blue states alike. Rolling them back could stall America’s progress on cutting carbon pollution just as extreme heat, drought, and wildfires threaten public health and infrastructure. Home energy efficiency incentives not only reduce emissions but lower utility bills and improve indoor air quality. Gutting these programs would hurt rural and low-income households most, at a time when many are struggling with high costs and volatile energy markets. A rollback also weakens the U.S. position in the global clean energy race.

Learn more: Fossil fuel advocate shapes Republican push to cut renewable energy funding

apnews.com

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California mining company turns to solar heat but can’t quit coal just yet

In California’s Mojave Desert, a mining plant is turning to solar thermal energy to replace one of its coal-fired generators, but a second unit may run for years due to the intense heat and 24-hour power it needs.

Ivan Penn reports for The New York Times.

In short:

Searles Valley Minerals, a mining company in Trona, Calif., is replacing one of its two coal plants with a solar thermal system but says the other may need to stay online for the foreseeable future due to operational demands.
The company will use a concentrating solar power system from start-up GlassPoint, which uses mirrors to generate high heat, a solution that works well in hot, sunny areas but requires a large land footprint and remains rare in the U.S.
Despite California’s push to phase out coal and President Trump’s efforts to revive it, economic and geographic constraints continue to complicate full industrial transitions away from fossil fuels.

Key quote:

“We just think coal is going to be a problem. We’re going to have a hard time sourcing it. We need to be ready to pivot.”

— Dennis Cruise, president of Searles Valley Minerals

Why this matters:

Industrial heat — the kind used in mining, chemical production, and heavy manufacturing — accounts for about half of global energy use, yet it’s rarely mentioned in public climate debates. Unlike home heating or car travel, generating this level of heat without fossil fuels is still tough. Most renewable energy technologies don’t deliver the extreme, continuous heat these facilities need. That leaves industries like the one in Trona stuck with coal, even as it becomes harder to source and politically unpopular. As the U.S. attempts to decarbonize, industrial energy needs present one of the biggest hurdles.

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