Last week, the House of Representatives passed a budget bill that could effectively gut clean energy development in Alaska and across the nation. In addition to shortening the lifespan of clean energy tax credits, and making them harder to use, the House bill destroys numerous wildlife and environmental protections across multiple federal agencies. Alaska’s own Representative Nick Begich voted in favor of these massive rollbacks for public health and economic development, advancing the bill.

In response to this vote, protests were held outside the Representative’s office in downtown Anchorage. While Representative Begich routinely stands alongside the Trump Administration’s priorities, many were still left asking why he chose to support a budget that is so harmful to his constituents and the Alaskan economy. 

The House bill has now moved to the Senate, where Senators will start pulling together their reconciliation bill. Representatives from across the country will look to negotiate mutual language for a budget bill that will ultimately need to gain support in both congressional chambers.

While some are hopeful that champions for clean energy investment, like Senator Murkowski, will “finesse” the bill and make it less controversial, they will have a steep hill to climb. The Senate must balance a massive deficit in the current House bill, driven by President Trump’s proposed tax cuts, as well as find a way to appease ultra-conservative members of the House who do not think cuts to programs like Medicaid go far enough. Nonetheless, Senator Murkowski is on record anticipating the Senate will be “taking a more cautious and conscientious approach” to programs originally written into law through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Investments in Alaska’s infrastructure – many of which stand to be eliminated in the current version of the House bill, are crucial for our state and local economies. BW Research has shown that tax credits alone generate $32.5 billion every year nationwide, and hold a $1.33 rate of return for every federal dollar invested. Investments and job growth are spurred by tax credits, representing much of this growth. On the flip side, gutting tax credits will essentially cut off a burgeoning new clean energy industry in Alaska just as it is starting to take off, and lead to higher energy costs down the road.

You may be asking yourself where Senator Sullivan’s priorities for budget reconciliation lie – and you would be hard pressed to find out. To date, the Senator has made no significant public statements on what he is willing to do to fight for energy tax credits in Alaska, along with many other crucial services now on the chopping block. Alaskans have a lot at stake these federal decisions, and deserve to know where their representatives stand.