Senate’s ​‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ would be a disaster for clean energy

AI generated summary

The U.S. Senate recently passed President Trump's controversial 'Big, Beautiful Bill,' which has raised significant concerns regarding its impact on clean energy initiatives. The final vote was split 50-50, with some Republican senators joining Democrats in opposition. Notably, an excise tax on wind and solar development was removed just before the final vote, which would have severely hindered clean power projects reliant on foreign components. However, the bill still imposes deadlines for solar and wind projects to access tax credits, along with restrictions on projects involving 'prohibited foreign entities.'

Critics, including Natural Resources Defense Council President Manish Bapna, argue that the bill undermines the need for clean, affordable energy amid rising power demands and costs. The legislation also includes provisions that limit tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements and electric vehicles, while maintaining some incentives for nuclear, hydropower, and geothermal projects. Additionally, it repeals funding for various clean energy programs and modifies the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment program to prioritize fossil fuels, raising alarms about the future of clean energy development in the U.S.