The four Republican senators have taken an unexpected but welcome position on America’s energy independence. They sent it letter Majority leader John Tune (Rs.D.) urges American families to protect investment tax credits, a major program that helps them install rooftop solar panels and battery storage systems. They join 21 House Republicans who signed a similar letter defending energy freedom for American homeowners.
As a lifelong conservative, I am happy to see it. The ITC is not a government handout. This is a tax credit that helps homeowners cover the upfront costs of installing solar panels and battery backups. It allows Americans to create their own power, lower their energy bills and reduce their reliance on bloated utilities. Since its creation almost 20 years ago, it has been supported by all presidents (Democrats and Republicans, including Donald Trump).
Investment tax credits literally reduce dependence on foreign energy while figuratively bringing it back to the individual’s hands.
But some of the Congress want to kill the ITC. It’s a costly mistake, especially since tariffs and other pressures push prices up. Eliminating ITC means most families’ rooftop solar and home batteries are out of reach.
Without these tools, more Americans will remain tied to an aging, overloaded electric grid, just as the surges and threats of demand, such as wildfires, blackouts, and cyberattacks. It also exposes families to unidentified rate hikes on monopoly utilities and undermines policies that have driven employment growth in red states such as Texas and Florida.
The conservative case of ITC is simple. Conservatives believe that tax law should reward actions that strengthen the country – buying homes, raising families, and investing in small businesses. It is the same to generate your own power during a grid failure.
During a power outage in Texas, during a California wildfire and a Florida hurricane, families with sunlight and batteries were on at their most important times. They didn’t wait for utility companies or FEMA. They had the strength, so they were relieved.
And as we saw After Hurricane MiltonOften on the disaster recovery list are conservative and Trump-voting communities.
The exclusive utility, backed by state regulators, does not have the incentive to treat customers fairly. At best, they see us as an ATM machine. Last year, Pacific Gas and Electricity Hiking Ratestackling new fees, increasing profits by $2.2 billion. Millions of Californians have no choice but to pay – Unless there is They create their own strength.
Supporting the ITC is not a betrayal of conservative values. That’s their reaffirmation. It literally and figically – reduces dependence on foreign energy while bringing it back to the individual’s hands.
I praise Congressional Republicans who took the ITC stand. You need to participate more. Because defending the ITC is not just a good policy.
That’s good for America.
