Business leaders representing the solar industry in Pennsylvania are imploring senators to keep federal tax credits intact that, if rescinded, could cost the state thousands of jobs.
Credit: Billy Ludt/Solar Power World
Over 130 companies signed a letter addressed to Senators John Fetterman (D) and Dave McCormick (R) demanding they protect federal tax credits that are at risk of being reversed in President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Those subsidies from the Inflation Reduction Act include the Residential Clean Energy Credit (25D), Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit (45V), Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (45X), Clean Electricity Production Tax Credit (45Y) and Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit (48E).
Supporters and industry members gathered in the entryway of the historic City-County Building on Grant Street in downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of June 11 to hear from local companies in the fields of solar and energy efficiency.
“We’re here today to talk about business and what’s good for it and what is good for our economy and our workers,” said Jeaneen Zappa, executive director of the Keystone Energy Efficiency Alliance. “And what is not good is the bill that is before the U.S. Senate right now for budget appropriations and reconciliation. It’s unraveling a variety of tax credits that are designed to attract business, private capital and investment and to drive energy efficiency and energy development. And this bill structure that’s before the Senate makes it tantamount to a complete repeal of these measures.”
As of 2024, the Pennsylvania solar industry employs more than 4,000 people, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. But event organizers claimed these tax credit cuts could affect over 100,000 jobs in other energy industries in the state, and deprive Pennsylvania citizens and businesses of energy cost savings.
Credit: Billy Ludt/Solar Power World
“These are not red or blue electrons that we’re putting on the grid — they’re just electrons, and they are producing energy for all of us, because we need it to power our lives,” said Sharon Pillar, founder and executive director of the Pennsylvania Solar Center. “And really, what is more American than generating your own electricity on your own property?”
Fetterman has publicly supported renewable energy expansion, but has made preserving local careers in fossil fuel industries, like natural gas, a priority as well. Meanwhile, McCormick co-authored the International Nuclear Energy Financing Act, a bill encouraging nuclear energy development, in the Senate in May.
That letter signed by Pennsylvania companies in affected industries and other supporting groups was walked down Grant Street by a crowd carrying signs reading “Energy Freedom for Pennsylvania” and “Pennsylvania Deserves Affordable Energy.” The group was led by event speakers who delivered the letters directly to Fetterman and McCormick’s offices.
“Today, I’m not just here as a business owner,” said Joe Morinville, president of local solar contractor EIS Solar. “I’m here as someone deeply worried about what the recently passed Big, Beautiful House bill will do to 50 big, beautiful Pittsburgh families that depend on my business. With a stroke of a pen, this bill immediately eliminates the investment tax credit, guts the Inflation Reduction Act. That’s not just a line in the budget — it’s real people.”
““I’m here as someone deeply worried about what the recently passed Big, Beautiful House bill will do to 50 big, beautiful Pittsburgh families that depend on my business. With a stroke of a pen, this bill immediately eliminates the investment tax credit, guts the Inflation Reduction Act.”
The reality (today) is the Senate rejected the House bill as ‘constituted’ on a “parlimentary ruling” and shoved it back down to the House to meet “legal” qualifications for a House, then Senate vote by July 4th. With this new “wrinkle”, there may not be a vote till August now. Lobbyists and trade groups still have a window of opportunity to change the minds of House and Senate representatives before the “Big Beautiful Bill” qualifies for a House/Senate Vote.