ENERGY POLICY news |
renewable energy news |
The Conversation website cites data that the UK's carbon reduction policies are translating well into economic drivers.
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National Public Radio reports on the new Federal Budget's impacts on movement in the Renewable Energy Sector.
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Dear Renewable Energy Friends and Colleagues:
Hello, July! US policy is certainly not a high point this summer, but lets all keep the faith and realize we are on the front lines against dangerous, disastrous decisions of simple ignorance. Here is my take on rolling back solar incentives, and I won't even mention the most recent studies on the threatened AMOC, collapse of which, will be a civilization changing event. Rolling back solar incentives in the United States of America will be a Costly and Short-Sighted Mistake. Rolling back incentives for the solar industry—whether residential, community, commercial, or utility-scale—is both economically reckless and environmentally irresponsible. Federal and state legislatures considering such measures should recognize that solar energy is not just a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, but a cornerstone of American energy independence, job creation, and long-term economic resilience. Undermining its growth now would come at great cost. 1. Economic Growth and Job Creation The solar industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the U.S. economy. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), over 250,000 Americans work in solar, with job growth consistently outpacing the broader economy. Rolling back incentives will suppress investment and lead to layoffs across a sector that provides high-quality jobs in installation, manufacturing, engineering, and support services—many of which are in rural and underserved communities. Incentives are not handouts—they are policy tools designed to accelerate industry maturation, just as the oil, gas, and coal industries have benefitted from over a century of sustained subsidies. Solar incentives have catalyzed private investment and driven rapid declines in the cost of photovoltaic systems. Removing them now would pull the rug out from under a burgeoning American success story. 2. Grid Stability and Energy Cost Control As extreme weather events strain our electric grids, solar—especially when paired with storage—offers resilience. Incentivizing distributed generation and utility-scale solar reduces dependence on fragile, centralized fossil-fueled infrastructure. More local solar means less transmission loss, less volatility in energy prices, and greater consumer control over their energy bills. Furthermore, community solar and utility-scale projects lower wholesale electricity prices through the merit-order effect, making electricity cheaper for all ratepayers. Rolling back support for solar risks higher electricity prices, not lower ones. 3. Environmental Imperatives and Climate Commitments Climate change is already inflicting economic and human costs through wildfires, floods, droughts, and hurricanes. Solar energy is a critical component of any realistic path to decarbonization. Rolling back solar incentives runs counter to the emissions reduction targets set under state climate plans and the U.S. commitments under the Paris Agreement. Delaying the transition means locking in more fossil fuel infrastructure and emissions, which will require even more costly mitigation in the future. 4. National Security and Energy Independence By accelerating solar deployment, the U.S. reduces reliance on foreign energy sources and increases domestic energy production. Rolling back solar incentives weakens our national energy autonomy and leaves us more vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions in fossil fuel supply chains. 5. Innovation and Global Leadership The clean energy transition is a global race. Countries that lead in solar technology, manufacturing, and deployment will dominate the future energy economy. By undermining solar growth, the U.S. risks ceding leadership to nations like China, which continue to heavily subsidize their renewable sectors. We should be encouraging domestic innovation and manufacturing, not stifling it. Conclusion Rolling back solar incentives is not fiscal prudence—it is economic and environmental folly. It threatens jobs, raises energy prices, delays climate progress, and weakens American competitiveness. Federal and state legislatures should instead double down on policies that accelerate the energy transition, stimulate clean industry, and ensure a prosperous and sustainable future for all Americans. TAP Synergy Works, LLC (TAPSW), is a nationally recognized specialty legal firm, a leader in renewable energy. We work from coast to coast as well as in our progressive region of the Greater Rocky Mountains. We continue to be available for our clients and for opportunities in new ventures, providing contracting documentation, enterprise team assembly, and leadership within the dynamic world of zero-emissions energy. We originate and facilitate relationships and contract documents for Utility-scale and Distributed Energy Resource Developers as well as providing OME development legal services and a host of other consulting services where legal understanding is paramount for successful execution. Our expertise includes team leadership from the formation of special purpose entities through to power generation, PPAs, and revenue stream, from DERMS platforms to wind and solar+storage installations, from recognized large desert solar arrays to individual facility microgrids. Our interest is secure stakeholder agreements, democratization of energy, and climate protection through the teamwork that well crafted contracting documents make possible. All the brightest, Thomas Polich CEO, TAP Synergy Works, LLC |