The House Tax Bill: An All-Out Attack on Clean Energy

Congress is threatening the progress we’ve made on electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy. The House tax reform bill is a dangerous blow to growing industries that reduce global warming emissions, clean our air, create jobs, and save consumers money.

In addition to cutting taxes for the wealthy at the expense of middle class and low-income families, the bill includes energy provisions that are nothing but a blatant handout to the fossil fuel industry. The bill eliminates the EV tax credit that makes these clean vehicles more affordable to consumers, just when the industry is beginning to reach a scale to compete with gasoline-powered vehicles. It will also limit the ability of clean energy developers to use solar and wind tax credits.

We can't let Congress stall the progress we’ve made in building a domestic clean energy and transportation economy.

Learn more about the importance of EV incentives and the recent growth of U.S. solar and wind.

Call the Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. An operator will connect you directly with the congressional representative you request.

TALKING POINTS TO GUIDE YOUR CALL

• Hi, my name is [YOUR FULL NAME] and I'm a constituent from [YOUR TOWN/CITY].
• I am calling about the shortsighted House tax reform bill and its focus on creating tax breaks for the wealthy while undermining things that benefit everybody, such as clean energy.
• I strongly oppose eliminating the federal electric vehicle tax credit as part of this bill.
• I want to continue to have access to the $7,500 tax credit for new electric vehicle car buyers, so that EVs become more affordable and automakers continue to drive innovation.
• Although I don't think the electric vehicle tax credit will be necessary forever, we do need it now to continue to make the technology more cost competitive with conventional vehicles.
• I also would like to express my strong opposition to limiting eligibility for two critical renewable energy credits for wind and solar energy production, the PTC and ITC.
• These two tax credits are critical to growing our clean energy economy, which has led to new jobs, reliable access to affordable energy sources, new income for rural communities, and has greatly benefited our health and environment. 
• It is hypocritical to claim we need to lose these tax credits—which offer clean air, new jobs, and benefits to rural economies— when you aren’t cutting things like fossil fuels subsidies and are using the money for a tax cut for the most wealthy.
• I ask [REPRESENTATIVE] to oppose any cuts to Electric Vehicles Tax Credit, in Section 30 D of the tax code, as well as any changes to the wind and solar production tax credits.
• Thank you for your time.

If you reach voicemail, feel free to leave a message. Please leave your full street address and zip code to ensure your call is tallied.

- Union of Concerned Scientists