Wyden, Markey, Leader Schumer Call on Republicans to Stop Solar Cuts That Threaten Funding for K-12 Schools
The lawmakers released data showing more than 250 schools are at risk of project delays and higher energy costs
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said today that he and two Democratic colleagues have written to Donald Trump and Republican congressional leaders about the risks to K-12 funding posed by the Republican budget reconciliation proposal.
Projects supported by tax credits, which Republicans want to eliminate, have saved communities tens of thousands of dollars annually. Any cuts could delay or disrupt important, ongoing solar projects, prevent schools and school districts from having access to a tool to save on energy costs, and waste state and school district investments.
“By cutting federal clean energy incentives, the Republican budget reconciliation bill would interfere with K-12 school funding across the United States,” wrote Wyden, U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.
“Clean energy projects can reduce monthly energy costs, allowing schools to spend more on supporting students, faculty, and staff,” Wyden, Markey and Schumer wrote to Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La. “With its draconian cuts to solar energy incentives, the Republican reconciliation bill promises to stall ongoing state and school district solar projects, disrupt their investments, and eliminate an essential cost-saving tool. We urge you to reconsider cuts to clean energy incentives that provide cost saving benefits to schools.”
Several stakeholders joined Wyden, Markey and Schumer in voicing their opposition to the proposed cuts.
“Across the country, school districts have been saving taxpayers money by taking advantage of clean energy tax credits through direct pay. These projects have created jobs, reduced energy costs, and opened up opportunities for school building improvements out of reach for too long. Rolling back the clean energy tax credits would stop that progress in its tracks and increase costs to local communities. It is critical that these important initiatives remain available to our schools,” said Jason Walsh, Executive Director of BlueGreen Alliance.
“School districts across the country have been using clean energy tax credits to lower their energy costs and upgrade their facilities. Investments in things like cleaner running buses and new HVAC systems are reducing both indoor and outdoor air pollution, all while creating good paying jobs. We urge Republican leaders to abandon their efforts to end these tax credits,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.
“School districts across the country are attempting to move forward on sorely needed repairs and update their school buildings, and solar energy contributes important cost stability and resilience,” said Ally Talcott, Executive Director of the BASIC Coalition. “Our school leaders do not need whiplash amid the important work to finance improvements to our schools; they need support and stability. The cuts to solar energy incentives pull one more resource away from school districts trying to provide safe, modern, and healthy school buildings for their communities.”
The text of the letter is here.
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