America stands at a crossroads: We can either build a stronger, cleaner and more resilient energy economy, or we can allow short-sighted political decisions to cut funding for federal clean energy incentives that have produced some of the most transformative job-creating policies and major energy investments in a generation.
These federal incentives aren’t just about climate policy — they’re an economic strategy that strengthens America’s competitiveness while ensuring affordability for consumers. Nationwide, they have already spurred over $300 billion in private-sector investment in clean energy and manufacturing. Here in Illinois, new projects in Peoria, Joliet and Chicago’s South Side are revitalizing communities that have long been left behind in the energy economy, creating new job opportunities in wind, solar, battery storage and electric vehicle manufacturing.
With these investments, labor unions and apprenticeship programs are preparing the next generation of workers for careers that offer family-sustaining wages and a pathway into the middle class. At the same time, these investments are making our energy grid more resilient and less dependent on volatile fossil fuel markets while helping keep energy bills down for families and businesses alike.
Repealing or weakening these investments would slam the brakes on job growth, forcing workers to bear the brunt of political dysfunction in Washington, and yet, just as these incentives’ benefits begin to take hold in our communities, some lawmakers are seeking to roll back the very policies that are driving progress. Doing so would be a catastrophic mistake — not just for our environment, but for our workforce, economy and household energy costs.
Repealing these tax credits would lead to an average 14% increase in utility prices for Illinois households —roughly $168 more per month — and a 21% increase for industrial customers, putting a strain on working families and local economies.
Moreover, cutting these incentives would undermine America’s ability to lead in the global clean energy race. China and the European Union are aggressively investing in renewable energy technologies. Keeping these investments in place ensures that the United States remains competitive and that our energy infrastructure is built with American labor, using American-made materials. Weakening them would cede this progress to foreign competitors and impair our national energy security.
Illinois has a long history as a leader in energy production, from coal to nuclear to renewables. But the future of our energy economy — and the thousands of jobs that come with it — depends on stable, long-term investments. Congress must reject efforts to gut these clean energy tax credits and instead work to restore and expand funding for critical energy projects.
This is not just about climate action; it is about protecting the livelihoods of American workers, keeping energy costs affordable, and ensuring our country remains an economic powerhouse in the 21st century.
The stakes could not be higher. We urge lawmakers to stand with the workers, businesses and communities that are driving the clean energy transition. These federal clean energy investments are working — now is the time to double down on their success, not dismantle them.
Pat Devaney is the secretary-treasurer of the Illinois AFL-CIO.
The views and opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Chicago Sun-Times or any of its affiliates.
The Sun-Times welcomes letters to the editor and op-eds. See our guidelines.
Get Opinions content delivered to your inbox.