Republican Leaders Gut Clean Energy Manufacturing, Defying Their Republican Colleagues Who Have Called to Protect It

Washington, DC — Republican Leaders are pushing a reckless reconciliation bill that would gut America’s clean energy production, raising costs for families and killing hundreds of thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs—even though Republican members of the House and Senate and Governors are on the record calling to protect these clean energy investments. This morning, Republicans in the House Ways and Means Committee advanced their reconciliation bill, which pulls the rug out from under clean energy industries.

“Dozens of Republican elected officials across the country have embraced America’s clean energy boom and vowed to protect the IRA investments that spurred it,” said Climate Power executive director Lori Lodes. “We’re about to find out whether their commitments to their constituents are real or empty, because GOP Leaders are pushing legislation that would gut American manufacturing and clean energy production, in direct violation of these Republicans’ promises. Will they sell out the people they represent, shuttering factories and killing thousands of good-paying jobs in their districts, or actually stand up to party leadership?”

Clean energy manufacturing is booming everywhere, especially in Republican states and districts. As of May 13, 9 GOP Senators, 46 GOP House members, and 13 GOP Governors have called to protect elements of the IRA, have opposed its total repeal, or voiced support for clean energy.

These Republicans and their constituents have been blown off by Washington Republican leadership, who are determined to shutter factories in their districts, raise utility bills in their states, and force them to vote for the worst air pollution bill in history.

Here’s what Republicans have said in defense of clean energy investments, and how the Ways and Means bill will gut them.

In an April 9, 2025 letter to Senate Majority Leader Thune signed by Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK), Senator John R. Curtis (UT), Senator Thom Tillis (NC), Senator Jerry Moran (KS):

WHAT THEY SAID: “To that end, many American companies have made substantial investments in domestic energy production and infrastructure based on the current energy tax framework. A wholesale repeal, or the termination of certain individual credits, would create uncertainty, jeopardizing capital allocation, long-term project planning, and job creation in the energy sector and across our broader economy.”

WHAT THE BILL DOES: Six sections of the bill will implement phase-outs, restrictions, or termination of tax credits for clean electricity, zero-emission nuclear power, clean hydrogen, and advanced manufacturing production (Sections 112008, 112009, 112012, 112013, 112014, 112015).

WHAT THEY SAID: “Furthermore, as the Trump Administration continues its efforts to reshore manufacturing and secure supply chains, maintaining a reliable energy tax environment is essential to attracting long-term investment, particularly in states that offer business-friendly climates. Repealing incentives that support energy development would undermine these objectives, slowing economic progress and job creation in key industries.”

WHAT THE BILL DOES: Three sections of the bill will implement early phase-outs of clean energy tax credits (Sections 112008, 112009, 112014).

In a March 9, 2025 letter to House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Smith signed by 21 Republicans Members of the House including Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20), Rep. Young Kim (CA-40), Rep. Jeff Hurd (CO-03), Rep. Gabe Evans (CO-08), Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01), Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09), Rep. John James (MI-10), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Rep. Thomas Kean (NJ-07), Rep. Mark Amodei (NV-02), Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01), Rep. Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), Rep. Mike Lawler (NY-17), Rep. David Joyce (OH-14), Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (PA-07), Rep. Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02), and Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04):

WHAT THEY SAID: “Countless American companies are utilizing sector-wide energy tax credits – many of which have enjoyed broad support in Congress – to make major investments in domestic energy production and infrastructure for traditional and renewable energy sources alike. Both our constituencies and the energy industry alike remain concerned about disruptive changes to our nation’s energy tax structure.”

WHAT THE BILL DOES: Six sections of the bill will implement phase-outs, restrictions, or termination of tax credits for clean electricity, zero-emission nuclear power, clean hydrogen, and advanced manufacturing production (Sections 112008, 112009, 112012, 112013, 112014, 112015).

WHAT THEY SAID: “Many credits were enacted over the course of a ten-year period, which allowed energy developers to plan with these tax incentives in mind. These timelines have been relied upon when it comes to capital allocation, planning, and project commitments, all of which would be jeopardized by premature credit phase outs or additional restrictive mechanisms such as limiting transferability.”

WHAT THE BILL DOES: Six sections of the bill will implement early phase-outs of clean energy tax credits (Sections 112008, 112009, 112012, 112013, 112014, 112015).

WHAT THEY SAID: “As energy demand continues to skyrocket, any modifications that inhibit our ability to deploy new energy production risk sparking an energy crisis in our country, resulting in drastically higher power bills for American families. This is especially true for energy credits with direct passthrough benefit to ratepayers, where such repeals would increase utility bills the very next day. As our conference works to make energy prices more affordable, tax reforms that would raise energy costs for hard working Americans would be contrary to this goal. Further, affordable and abundant energy will be critical as the President works to onshore domestic manufacturing, supply chains, and good paying jobs, particularly in Republican run states due to their business-friendly environments. Pro-energy growth policies will directly support these objectives.”

WHAT THE BILL DOES: Section 112008 of the bill will phase out the Clean Electricity Production Credit (45Y).  

Over a dozen GOP Governors have voiced support for clean energy:

WHAT THEY SAID: “That [the IRA tax credits] was a deal that was cut. I have the same deal in Oklahoma. We have to live with those deals that a previous Legislature cut, and then we change it going forward. But we’re going to allow that tail to run through the tax credit that was promised to them for whatever period of time would be. I know it’s more complicated than that. Congress has got opine on it, but a deal is a deal, and you can’t back up on some of those things,” said Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.

WHAT THE BILL DOES: Six sections of the bill will implement early phase-outs of clean energy tax credits (Sections 112008, 112009, 112012, 112013, 112014, 112015).