Call your senators! A guide to defending energy and industrial innovation
It's only the future of the economy that's at stake
The next 30 days will determine whether America accelerates toward energy abundance or retreats into scarcity thinking. As the House-passed budget reconciliation bill moves through the Senate, the most consequential vote for abundance technology developers in a generation hangs in the balance.
The House bill, squeaking by with just a 215-214 margin in late May 2025, would kill the market-making IRA tax credits that have already triggered over $17 billion in private investment and made clean energy the cheapest power source in history. That’s all at risk. Companies have already pulled the plug on $14 billion worth of new energy and industrial projects across the US — with many of these projects located in rural and economically disadvantaged communities.
These are the precise market mechanisms that even Republican senators recognize as essential for American energy dominance. When four GOP senators break ranks to defend tax credits that "spur new domestic manufacturing," "reduce utility bills," and ensure "certainty for businesses," it’s a clear sign these policies work. The core clean electricity credits (45Y and 48E), residential solar incentives, and EV tax credits represent the difference between American companies leading the global energy transition or ceding the $130 trillion clean energy market to China.
This is democracy in action: a handful of pivotal Republican senators hold the power to preserve the policy foundation that's making abundant, clean energy inevitable. For every abundance technology developer, clean energy entrepreneur, and American who believes in energy independence through innovation, the next month represents a once-in-a-decade opportunity to influence the senators who will decide our energy future.
Why These Tax Credits Matter: Economic and Environmental Stakes
The IRA clean energy tax credits represent one of the largest federal investments in clean energy and domestic manufacturing in U.S. history. Their preservation carries significant implications across multiple dimensions:
Economic Impact: The tax credits have already catalyzed massive private sector investment since their implementation. According to industry analysis, these incentives have triggered billions in domestic manufacturing commitments and created thousands of jobs across traditional and clean energy sectors. The credits work by providing production tax credits (PTC) and investment tax credits (ITC) that make clean energy projects financially competitive with fossil fuel alternatives.
Manufacturing and Jobs: The advanced manufacturing production credits (Section 45X) specifically support domestic production of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and other clean energy components. Eliminating these credits would shift manufacturing back to China and other international competitors, undermining American energy independence and industrial capacity.
Consumer Benefits: Residential tax credits (Section 25D) have enabled millions of homeowners to install solar panels, heat pumps, and other efficient technologies. In 2023 alone, 3.4 million Americans used these tax credits for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. Eliminating these credits would increase upfront costs for consumers and reduce the adoption of money-saving technologies.
Energy Security and Grid Stability: The clean electricity credits (45Y and 48E) support all forms of zero-emission electricity generation, including nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal. These technology-neutral credits help diversify America's energy portfolio and reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets while supporting grid reliability.
Rural Economic Development: Many of the largest clean energy projects supported by these credits are located in rural areas, providing new revenue streams for farmers and rural communities through land lease payments and local tax revenue. Wind and solar projects often coexist with agricultural activities, creating additional income without displacing farming.
For more detailed analysis of these programs and their impacts:
Key Senators Supporting IRA Tax Credit Preservation
The "Core Four" Republican Advocates: Four Republican senators have emerged as the strongest defenders of IRA tax credits, signing a joint letter to Majority Leader John Thune in April 2025 expressing support for maintaining "a stable and predictable tax framework":
Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) - A vocal centrist who has consistently advocated for clean energy investments in rural communities. Her office's press release on the letter can be found here.
Senator John Curtis (Utah) - Former chair of the House Conservative Climate Caucus who emphasizes the manufacturing benefits. His statement on supporting energy tax credits is available here.
Senator Thom Tillis (North Carolina) - Facing reelection in 2026 in a purple state with significant clean energy investments. Analysis of his critical position can be found here.
Senator Jerry Moran (Kansas) - Represents a state with substantial wind energy development and co-signed the letter defending energy tax credits.
Additional Senators Showing Concern
Senator Josh Hawley (Missouri) - While primarily focused on Medicaid provisions, has expressed broader concerns about the bill's impact on working families.
Senator Susan Collins (Maine) - Part of the centrist coalition expressing reservations about various aspects of the bill.
Senate Timeline and Process
The Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), must act by late July 2025 due to debt ceiling constraints. The narrow 51-49 Republican majority means just three defections could derail the House version, giving the "Core Four" senators significant leverage to demand modifications.
Senate Majority Leader Thune has acknowledged the need for 51 votes and ongoing "active discussions" about reforms that don't affect beneficiaries. This creates an opening for constituent pressure to influence the final package.
What You Can Do
The preservation of IRA clean energy tax credits depends heavily on sustained pressure from constituents in key states. The four Republican senators who have already expressed concerns represent the most viable path to either blocking harmful cuts or negotiating more favorable terms. Reach out to them and emphasize economic benefits, job creation, energy security, and the importance of policy stability for business investment. The narrow timeline and slim Republican majority create a critical window for effective advocacy before the July 4th target deadline.