Nevada’s Clean Energy Future is at Risk

Did you know The Silver State generates a quarter of its electricity from solar energy, ranking second in the nation? Covered in desert, Nevada is uniquely positioned to convert its abundant sunshine into clean, renewable power.

Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, we’ve seen a veritable boom in clean energy investment across the country — and especially in Northern Nevada. The law jumpstarted domestic supply chains for solar panels, batteries, and critical minerals, many of which had never been manufactured in the U.S. before. This isn’t just about energy — it’s about jobs, innovation, and creation care.

But now, that progress is under threat.

Several key provisions of the law — which made this boom possible — are set to be cut or phased down:

• 30D Tax Credit: A vital consumer credit for American-made electric vehicles, slated to expire by year’s end.
• 25D Tax Credit: A subsidy for rooftop solar, also ending this year.
• Investment (ITC) and Production Tax Credits (PTC): These credits — which incentivize clean energy construction and output — will begin phasing down in 2029, disappearing by 2031.
• 45X Manufacturing Tax Credit: Crucial to financing U.S.-based solar, battery, and critical mineral manufacturing, this credit will phase out starting in 2031.
• End of Transferability by 2027: This tool allows companies without taxable income to sell or carry forward their credits — enabling new clean energy projects to get off the ground. Eliminating it would freeze many future developments.
• Tougher Eligibility Requirements: Projects would now have to be placed in service, not just under construction, to qualify.
• Foreign Entity Restrictions: A web of complicated rules would bar partnerships with companies that have any ties to nations deemed national security risks — particularly China — further complicating already fragile supply chains.

Faith-Based Advocacy: Why This Matters

As people of faith, we are called to care for God’s creation and for the well-being of our neighbors. The ELCA social statement Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice declares:

“We are to participate actively in the redemption of the whole creation, preserving the integrity of the Earth and seeking justice and sustainability in our relationship with the environment.”

The ELCA’s social statement Economic Life: Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All reminds us:

“Economic decisions must be evaluated not only on the basis of growth or efficiency, but also in terms of whether they sustain the Earth’s resources and provide for present and future generations.”

Clean energy is not just smart policy, it’s moral responsibility.

As Nevada leads the nation in solar generation, we cannot afford to go backward. Cutting these tax credits would slow down our clean energy progress, stall job creation, and deepen our reliance on fossil fuels — all while threatening the most vulnerable among us who bear the brunt of climate-related disasters.

Action Needed

Now is the time to speak out. Urge your Senators to:

• Preserve the full range of clean energy tax credits
• Protect rooftop solar and domestic EV incentives
• Maintain transferability and flexible financing tools
• Ensure justice and transparency in supply chain policies