Second, a blog post highlighting how the administration's threats and actions against FEMA are harming state budgets, increasing climate risk, and causing uncertainty: cbpp.org/blog/trump-a... (no cool map in this one, though--sorry)

As pauses & cancellations continue, we need to remember that these cuts create real harm for real communities: economic instability and layoffs, higher energy costs, and more pollution:
www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/local-f...

Of the $8b cut, over 85% of DOE cuts are to projects in districts held by Democrats, despite over 60% of all IRA & IIJA grant awards covering single districts (vs. state/regional projects) going to Republican-held districts. grist.org/accountabili...

Still, local and state govs, nonprofits & schools should consider leveraging the credits while they exist. Tons of great resources can be found from our partners at L4GG: www.lawyersforgoodgovernment.org/elective-pay...

Overall, the new rules may prevent clean energy projects from being built in time to claim the credits, meaning fewer clean energy projects at a time when electricity demand & costs continue to skyrocket. evergreenaction.com/blog/clean-e...

Most rooftop solar projects are below 1.5 MW and will still be able to use the 5% safe harbor, but developers will still have to navigate the new timelines and foreign entity restrictions. taxlawcenter.org/blog/navigating-obbba-phaseouts-prohibited-foreign-entity-rules-and-other-new-rules

The new rules block larger solar projects (>1.5 MW) and ALL wind projects from using the 5% safe harbor. They can use the significant work test, but this is a higher burden & could prevent projects from meeting the new beginning of construction deadline.

The other test is more fact-intensive and requires “significant” physical work to be completed, excluding certain “preliminarily activities” like obtaining permits.

Under the old guidance, projects could satisfy 1 of 2 tests. Most projects used the "5% safe harbor,” which considers projects “started” if they have incurred at least 5% of the total project cost (e.g., purchasing solar panels). l4gg.docsend.com/view/wgc43st...

To qualify for credits, solar & wind projects must begin construction by 7/4/26 (or be placed in service by the end of 2027). Longstanding Treas. guidance has clarified what it means to begin construction, but the new rules will make it harder, specifically for wind/solar.

Since ~2/3 of IRA $ has been spent or contracted + can't legally (important word) be clawed back, its benefits will continue to be felt through funded projects. The Rs’ shortsighted cuts will limit this progress + increase energy burden + pollution. heatmap.news/politics/ira...

On top of these cuts, the law adds unworkable rules for tax credits for wind and solar + terminates credits for EVs + home energy efficiency almost immediately. These changes will lead to higher utility bills + job losses in areas facing underinvestment. taxlawcenter.org/blog/navigat...

Billions in environmental justice are also cut: $1.7b from the Neighborhood Access & Equity Program + $333m from the Environmental & Climate Justice program. Both critical for funding for transportation, pollution reduction, and clean energy in front line communities.

CBO also shows $193m in cuts to NOAA funding for restoring and protecting coastal communities, as well as for climate research and weather forecasting ...all at a time when climate change-fueled disasters are becoming more frequent and severe.

For example, CBO shows $12m of cuts to programs addressing air pollution at schools, out of the $37.5m available through the IRA. But, according to Climate Program Portal, $34m has been awarded – meaning some awarded projects hadn’t completed their contracts & may not receive it.

TLDR: The Senate EPW Bill, like the House version, guts important funding + protections for the climate. It’s bad for public health, bad for the environment, and bad for communities. While we wait for the rest of the Senate committees, CBPP will continue to document these harms.

The Senate also rescinds unobligated funds from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund + repeals the authorizing statute. This would add to GGRF uncertainty + further stall deployment of low-cost energy in rural + low-income communities: www.cbpp.org/blog/continu...