By Eric Goodwin, OMCO Solar
At a time when costs are high and Americans are concerned about the economy, clean energy is creating jobs and cost savings across the country.
As a clean energy and U.S. steel company executive (OMCO Solar’s HQ is in Phoenix), we have realized the growth of clean energy and the positive impact to working families and businesses in our state. If we want to build back American manufacturing, maintain our competitive edge, and have an “all of the above” strategy towards energy independence, we must have stability and stand by federal investments that have proven successful.
Clean energy (solar, battery storage and wind) is an important part of this equation, especially in this age of expanding data centers and artificial intelligence (AI). No other energy sources can be deployed as rapidly or cost-effectively.
While I would rather focus on our business and technology, our company is now being tasked to monitor the Washington budget process currently underway in the Senate. Much is at stake because the House bill that passed is a wholesale repeal of America’s clean energy investments. Eliminating clean energy tax credits would stop America’s clean energy production, and would raise energy costs. Notably, 25% of households are struggling to pay their energy bills and more than 75% are feeling overwhelmed by these expenses.
After passage of clean energy tax credits, nearly 80% of the domestic manufacturing growth (reshoring, new plants including OMCO’s fifth facility in Huntsville, Alabama) is happening in red states. This is real progress and the definition of bipartisan with job creation and community impact. The Senate needs to act to protect federal investments in clean energy impacting red and blue states.
But according to the House Budget Chairman, clean energy incentives are considered prime targets for elimination. These Washington efforts to eliminate or severely reduce clean energy funding would be a critical error, with the financial burden falling heavily on American households due to a spike in energy costs. Particularly in the middle of the chaotic trade war that has every American energy business on edge, hoping that the next shoe to drop is not one that will crush their supply chains and the jobs that come with it. That’s a real concern for the Arizona economy.
This critical moment calls for supporting rather than undermining emerging American clean energy industries, which represent our best opportunity to meet growing energy demands while preventing household utility bills from becoming unmanageable. According to experts, this situation could dramatically worsen as AI and cryptocurrency operations consume increasingly large amounts of electricity, potentially driving costs even higher. In short: cutting back on energy production is a mistake.
Clean energy initiatives are delivering substantial financial benefits to American households: 3.4 million families have already saved north of $8 billion through clean energy and efficiency upgrades that reduce their energy expenses.
Beyond making energy more affordable, federal and private sector clean energy investments are generating significant economic growth in Arizona and throughout the nation—progress that would be threatened if these investments and tax incentives were eliminated.
Our solar company and many other renewable energy companies that call Arizona home have become integral to our economic landscape, generating quality employment opportunities that frequently don’t require traditional four-year degrees. Tariffs and executive orders have already taken a toll on Arizona clean energy jobs, but there are still more than 13,000 jobs and $13 billion in private sector investments that have been made in Arizona since these tax incentives were put in place. Those investments could either be a cornerstone of Arizona’s economic future, or be put on the chopping block by Congress in the weeks ahead.
The impact of repealing these investments coupled with the whirlwind of tariffs is clear: Hundreds of thousands of good jobs going overseas and higher prices and higher energy costs across the country. Business leaders need a predictable environment to plan and grow a business.
I urge that the entire Arizona Congressional delegation will stand up for us and against any Washington politics that would weaken American energy dominance, raise the utility bills of Arizonans, and risk the livelihoods of American clean energy workers.
Tags: OMCO solar, policy
