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Rapid Analysis: House GOP’s Clean Energy Repeal and What it Means for the Affordability Crisis

The GOP’s proposed budget reconciliation bill kills jobs and raises household energy costs. Here’s our latest analysis.

A picture of the front of an empty House of Representatives with the American flag hanging behind the podium and the words
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images via Getty Images News

After weeks of working behind closed doors on their budget reconciliation bill, House Republicans are finally releasing draft legislative text ahead of the committee markup process. These proposals, across various committees, are not only expected to make devastating cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, but would also gut clean energy, climate, and environmental justice programs that are reducing costs, creating jobs, and improving public health across the country. 

Let’s not mince words: Republicans are trying to raise your energy bills and destroy thousands of American jobs—simply to pad the pockets of billionaires, fossil fuel executives, and their top corporate backers with massive tax cuts.

We’ve compiled our policy analysis of the Republicans’ proposed Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee bill text and Ways and Means (W&M) Committee bill text below to explain how these sweeping cuts will harm your pocketbooks, health, and planet.

 

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Background

First, some context: Back in 2022, Congress passed transformational clean energy investments as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These investments were strategically designed to make energy bills more affordable, revitalize American manufacturing, and create millions of good jobs for working Americans, while cutting pollution. But House Republicans are now unleashing a full-scale attack on these historic investments, even though the lion’s share of the benefits from these investments flow to GOP districts. They’re targeting critical programs like clean energy tax credits, advanced manufacturing tax credits, Environmental Justice Block Grants, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).

Simply put, these bills are an affront to American communities struggling with a cost-of-living crisis, working people trying to support their families, and those living in sacrifice zones with polluted air and water. Let’s take a closer look at the devastating cuts proposed by these Republican committees.

 

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Ways and Means

The House W&M Committee covers the tax-writing elements of the reconciliation bill, meaning this part of the Republican-proposed bill includes major cuts to the federal energy tax credits that are already delivering enormous benefits, particularly in Republican districts. These benefits include affordable clean energy and historic climate pollution reductions. Here’s what the GOP is proposing:

Energy and Commerce

The House E&C Committee covers, among other things, any elements of the reconciliation bill related to the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. This part of the reconciliation bill attempts to repeal most of the federal grant programs created by the IRA, as well as setting up rubber stamp permitting for fossil fuel infrastructure.  

  1. Republicans claim to be cutting at least $6.5 billion in funding for climate and clean energy programs that benefit American households, alongside proposing devastating and shameful cuts to critical health programs.
  2. House Republicans are severely stretching the limits of the rules of reconciliation that prohibit making non-budgetary policy changes as they attempt to repeal vehicle emissions standards required by the Clean Air Act.
  3. The GOP has proposed repealing sections of the Clean Air Act and other laws created in the IRA. 

In-Depth Policy Analysis for Ways and Means (W&M) Committee 

1. Clean Energy Tax Credits (45Y and 48E)

Let’s start with one of the most powerful tools supporting rapid deployment of new energy generation and a modern, reliable, and affordable electricity grid for American homes and businesses: the IRA’s clean electricity tax credits. The Production Tax Credit (PTC) (45Y) is a technology-neutral tax credit that subsidizes the production of zero-emission sources like solar, wind, nuclear, hydropower, and geothermal. For every kilowatt hour (kWh) of clean energy generated, the producer gets a base credit of 2.6¢/kWh if they meet certain criteria. Similarly, the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) (48E) provides a credit of 30 percent (or more) of the investment into these same zero-emission energy generation technology projects, including energy storage.

2. Electric Vehicle Credits (45W, 30D, 30C, 25E)

The IRA’s electric vehicle (EV) tax credits have been rapidly accelerating America’s clean auto industry and jobs, while making EVs more financially accessible for some families. Households and commercial companies can receive tax credits for purchasing new electric vehicles (up to $7,500) and used electric vehicles (up to $4,000), as well as for chargers and installation. 

3. Manufacturing Credits (45X)

The Advanced Energy Manufacturing Credit (45X) provides an incentive to manufacturing facilities that produce clean energy components or systems in the U.S. Facilities that produce solar, wind, advanced batteries, and certain critical minerals are rewarded for re-shoring supply chains in America. 

4. Home Energy Efficiency Credits (25C, 45L)

Thanks to the IRA, households can take tax credits of 30 percent off, up to $2,000, for installing a heat pump or heat pump water heater, plus $1,200 for weatherization and insulation via the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C). The 25C tax credit helped 2.3 million American families improve their homes and reduce their monthly energy bills in 2023. Families are saving an average of $130 a year in energy costs. By 2032 homeowners are expected to use the credit enough to cut peak electric demand by 3,400 MW.

The New Energy Efficient Home Credit (45L) provides incentives to builders of homes that meet Energy Star or Zero-Energy Ready Home standards. This credit has assisted with the construction of nearly 350,000 efficient new homes in 2024 and cut homeowner energy bills by about $450 per year.

5. Residential Clean Energy Tax Credits (25D)

Dating back to 2005, the Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit provides households with a 30 percent tax credit for rooftop solar, wind power, geothermal heating systems, and battery systems. In 2023, 1.2 million American families took advantage of the residential clean energy tax credit, and now 5 percent of US households have solar. And all of that small-scale solar adds up, with over 66GW installed, amounting to more than one-third of US solar capacity.

6. Transferability

The transferability provisions for various energy tax credits included in the IRA makes it possible for more companies and communities to access tax credits for their cost-cutting, job-creating energy projects. Through transferability, a project sponsor that may not have tax liability can sell their energy tax credit to a third party that does. This reduces the cost of the project and expands the universe of entities that can benefit from these important incentives. Furthermore, transferability has been used to benefit new clean energy technologies and manufacturing facilities, helping to grow new industries that are not reliant upon complex tax equity financing deals.

7. Other IRA Programs Affected by the W&M Proposal

  • Direct Pay (aka Elective Pay) allows states and local governments and non-profit organizations to access 12 of the IRA tax credits and is not impacted by the Ways & Means proposal—however, the policy would be rendered fundamentally useless if the underlying tax incentives are repealed, especially those supporting clean electricity, electric vehicles, and charging infrastructure.
  • Clean Fuels Production Credits (45Z) are extended to 2031 with increased generosity for fuels with land use impacts and "renewable natural gas.”
  • Carbon Capture Credits (45Q) are amended so that credits cannot flow to a specified foreign entity. Transferability is repealed.
  • Hydrogen Production Tax Credit (45V) is eliminated at the end of 2025.
  • Nuclear Tax Credit (45U) is phased out beginning in 2029 (80 percent in 2029, 60 percent in 2030, 40 percent in 2031, and 0 percent after 2031).

In-Depth Policy Analysis for Energy and Commerce (E&C) Committee

8. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

The $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) is the largest grant program within the IRA. This $27 billion is divided into three programs: the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), and Solar for All. Not only does this program provide a significant investment in pollution-reducing clean energy technology, but it also benefits communities that have been historically overlooked and underserved, bringing greater equity to the clean energy transition. For months, the Trump administration has waged an unsubstantiated assault on this fund. At every turn, the administration has been unable to justify its attacks to undermine this program, failing to offer evidence to support its bogus claims of fraud, waste, or abuse.

9. Environmental Justice Block Grants

This first-of-its-kind $3 billion federal program aims to empower disadvantaged communities to determine and design their own visions of pollution reduction and clean energy investment. The Environmental Justice (EJ) Block Grants, also known as the Community Change Grants, provide highly flexible funding that goes directly to nonprofit organizations serving these communities. This means projects are designed by and for communities to address their unique needs and build resilience to extreme weather events and environmental risks.

10. Vehicle Efficiency and Emission Standards

The Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standards for efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. These standards have saved drivers trillions of dollars and drastically reduced harmful pollution from vehicles—reducing smog and health impacts like asthma and heart disease. Rescinding these standards is not allowed by the rules of budget reconciliation, but Republicans are trying to repeal them anyway. 

11. Natural Gas Expedited Permitting

As it currently stands, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reviews applications for the construction and operation of interstate natural gas pipelines under the authority of section 7 of the Natural Gas Act. FERC review ensures that applicants certify that they will comply with Department of Transportation safety standards.

12. Rubberstamping Liquefied Natural Gas Exports

Under the Natural Gas Act, the Department of Energy (DOE) has the authority to determine whether proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to non-Free Trade Agreement countries are in the “public interest” or not. This is part of a wider review process when considering proposed LNG export facilities.

13. Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program

Methane is a potent, planet-heating greenhouse gas that oil and gas operators often flare or leak into the atmosphere. That’s why Congress passed the Waste Emissions Charge (WEC) through the IRA in 2022, requiring oil and gas operators to pay a penalty fee if they exceed a certain level of methane pollution. Soon after, the Biden-led EPA introduced a rule implementing the WEC. But at the beginning of 2025, the Republican-controlled Congress voted to eliminate that rule. Now, Congress is trying to get rid of the fee outright via the budget reconciliation bill. 

14. Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) are an EPA program established as part of a new Clean Air Act Section 137 created in the IRA, which provides grants to state, local, and Tribal governments to create and implement programs that reduce emissions and support jobs and communities. It was funded with $5 billion, including $250 million in planning grants, $4.6 billion for implementation grants, and the remaining balance for technical assistance and program implementation. These grants have been used to support state, local, and Tribal governments in nearly all 50 states.

15. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office

The Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (LPO) was created with strong bipartisan support during the George W. Bush administration, and for the last two decades, it has provided critical financing for American energy, manufacturing, mining, and other industrial projects that reduce emissions and support American leadership in the fast-growing clean energy economy. To date, the LPO has financed approximately $90 billion in innovative energy and manufacturing projects, including a $465 million loan to Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors in 2010. And at the conclusion of 2024, the LPO had collected over $5 billion in interest payments from its loans, meaning that it has made a profit for American taxpayers.

16. Transmission Planning, Siting, and Financing

There are several IRA programs at DOE that support the expansion of electricity transmission infrastructure in the U.S, critical to providing affordable and reliable power for Americans. These include the Transmission Facility Financing program; Offshore Wind Electricity Transmission Planning, Modeling, and Analysis program; and Grants to Facilitate the Siting of Interstate Electricity Transmission Lines. These programs are especially important at a time of rising electricity demand, fueled by data centers to power the race for artificial intelligence (AI), increasing electrification of vehicles and buildings, and an American manufacturing renaissance.

17. Clean Ports Program

The EPA’s Clean Ports Program provides $3 billion in grants to fund zero-emission port equipment and technology and to assist U.S. ports in developing climate action plans to reduce air pollutants. Grants were awarded in 2024 to 55 projects across the country that will eliminate “more than 3 million metric tons of carbon pollution, equivalent to 391,220 homes’ energy use for one year.” The vast majority of those pollution reduction benefits will be felt in frontline and disadvantaged communities in heavily trafficked port corridors.

18. Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program

The Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program (AIFDP) was created in the IRA and funded with over $5.8 billion to advance industrial decarbonization and support American manufacturing’s global economic competitiveness. The program has provided funds for innovative low-carbon cement manufacturing projects in Indiana, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia, for next-generation aluminum manufacturing in Colorado, for low-carbon steel production in multiple states, and much more. 

19. Other IRA Programs Affected by the E&C Proposal

The Republican E&C Committee also repealed and/or rescinded any unobligated funds from the following IRA programs. 

  • Air pollution monitoring program for schools in low-income and disadvantaged communities at EPA.
  • American Innovation Manufacturing (AIM) Act that aims to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—potent greenhouse pollutants used in refrigeration, air conditioning, and other applications. The E&C proposes to eliminate funding that helps implement this important bipartisan law.
  • Funding for Efficiency, Accurate, and Timely Reviews at EPA to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of environmental reviews, permitting, and project approvals.
  • Enforcement Technology and Public Information at EPA.
  • Environmental Product Declarations at EPA for construction materials and products. This initiative aimed to enhance the standardization, transparency, and reporting criteria for EPDs, which include measurements of the embodied greenhouse gas emissions associated with materials and products used in construction.
  • Fenceline pollution monitoring program at EPA to monitor pollution, particularly in communities near polluting facilities.
  • Greenhouse Gas Corporate Reporting at EPA to enhance the standardization and transparency of corporate climate action commitments and plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  • Lowering Embodied Carbon Labeling for Construction Materials, including developing a program for identifying and labeling construction materials with substantially lower levels of embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to industry averages. This initiative was designed to promote the use of low-carbon materials in construction projects, particularly in federal buildings and transportation infrastructure.
  • Renewable Fuel Program at EPA for grantmaking for advanced biofuels.
  • State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants at DOE that provides needed financing to states to train and procure a workforce that is able to install cost-saving home efficiency upgrades like heat pumps.

Republicans have made their priorities clear: They’re willing to raise energy prices, kill jobs, and undermine American energy security to fund more tax cuts for billionaires.

© 2025 Gage Skidmore/Flickr CC BY-SA 2.0

Conclusion

Let’s be clear-eyed about what’s happening here: Congressional Republicans are attempting to take money out of everyday people’s pockets to give tax breaks to billionaires. In the process, they’re taking a wrecking ball to dozens of programs that make energy affordable for households, reduce toxic pollution, combat the climate crisis, provide life-changing healthcare, and nourish families with food assistance. 

Though this analysis has focused on Evergreen’s priority IRA climate programs found in the E&C and W&M draft bills, other life-changing federal programs are on the line. Evergreen will continue to track the House Committee markup and passage process for both W&M and E&C in the coming days. There’s still time to let Congress know that they must not attack these vital programs. Call your representatives now and tell them they cannot vote for a budget bill that repeals climate and clean energy programs, which protect our health, our pocketbooks, and our communities. 

Want to learn more about these historic climate investments? Read our series explaining the IRA’s most important programs.

 

Call Your Representatives Now

There’s still time to let Congress know that they must not attack these vital programs. Contact your representatives now and tell them they cannot vote for a budget bill that repeals climate and clean energy programs, which protect our health, our pocketbooks, and our communities. 

Fill out a form to be connected with your reps and provided with a sample script.