Sen. Ossoff called to reduce costs, incentivize installations in Senate letter last month
Washington, D.C. –– U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working to make it more affordable for Georgia families to install energy efficient home technology and save money on their energy bills.
Sen. Ossoff today introduced the Clean Energy for All Homes Act, which would help middle-class and lower-income families afford solar roof and other renewable energy technology installations by reducing the cost burden of installing these systems.
“This bill will save Georgians money on their power bills by making home solar panels and other energy efficient technology more affordable,” Sen. Ossoff said.
Sen. Ossoff’s legislation would allow more taxpayers to receive a full tax refund to offset the costs of installing solar panels and other energy efficient technology, which would incentivize installations, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Sen. Ossoff’s innovative solar initiatives continue to build momentum in Congress.
Last week, Sen. Ossoff successfully negotiated inclusion of his transformative Solar Energy Manufacturing for America Act in the upcoming Congressional budget measure, which would supercharge domestic solar manufacturing, create tens of thousands of clean energy jobs in Georgia and nationwide, and accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) co-sponsored the legislation.
“To meet the climate crisis head-on, we must make sure all households have equal access to renewable energy resources,” said Sen. Booker. “This legislation will change current tax code to allow low- and middle-income homeowners to fully benefit from tax credits for installing solar and other renewable energy systems, helping American families save money while also reducing emissions and creating green, good-paying jobs in communities across the country.”
“The science is clear: if we do not address climate change now, we will suffer greater and more frequent climate disasters and the Earth will become increasingly uninhabitable,” Sen. Sanders said. “This bill would be an important step forward in the transition away from fossil fuels to a renewable energy system. By rapidly transitioning to renewable energy, as we must, we can create jobs, save money, and combat inequality while leaving our grandkids a planet that is healthy and habitable.”
“Everyone — including those who are most impacted by climate change and environmental injustices — should have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the growing clean energy economy,” Sen. Duckworth said. “That’s why I’m proud to help introduce this bill with Senator Ossoff that would help increase access to clean energy in the Build Back Better package by making it easier for hardworking families to purchase clean energy infrastructure in their homes.”
“Clean energy should be affordable for all, not just those who pay enough taxes to receive the credit. By making the credit for solar panel installation refundable to homeowners, we will make residential solar power more accessible for all Americans and do more to combat climate change,” Sen. Feinstein said. “This is especially important in California as we lead efforts to develop a more distributed electricity grid — which is both critical to reduce emissions as well as to limit power shutoffs to prevent wildfires.”
“The impacts of the climate crisis are being felt in California and across the country — we must meet this challenge with the urgency it demands,” said Sen. Padilla. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues in introducing legislation to include a direct-pay option for the renewable energy tax credits that will help millions of Californians install solar panels, grant low- and moderate-income households equitable access to this tax credit, and help us meet President Biden’s goal of a 50 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.”
“Helping families and homeowners afford clean energy is an important step in our efforts to combat the climate crisis. By providing tax credits for solar roofs and other renewable energy technology, the Clean Energy for All Homes Act would help tackle climate change, lower the costs of utilities, create jobs, and boost our economy,” Sen. Warren said.
“Congress has a responsibility to make clean energy choices available to every American. Structuring the residential ITC as a direct payment is one of the best ways to directly address the barriers facing low- and moderate-income families who want to personally participate in the clean energy economy,” Sen. Schatz said. “Distributed solar is already the top source of clean electricity in Hawaii, and a direct-pay ITC would help make it even more accessible to Hawaii residents and families across the nation.”
“At its core, building back better is about climate, jobs, and justice. Our dedication to climate and jobs is there, but there is always more we can do with respect to justice,” said Sen. Markey. “This is why it is important to include a direct pay option for 25D. We need to do what we can to ensure that low-income communities and communities of color in Massachusetts and across the country are able to adequately access residential rooftop solar and more affordable energy.”
“Coloradans from all walks of life — from farmers and ranchers to teachers and small business owners — want to be a part of the solution to climate change, but for too long, low- and moderate-income households have not been able to fully benefit from the tax credits for installing clean energy in their homes. I’m glad to join my colleagues in sponsoring this legislation to make solar and other clean energy home technology accessible to Colorado families and homeowners in every corner of our state,” Sen. Bennet said.
“A greener future is a smarter and more sustainable future for our state. I am proud to work with Senator Ossoff toward a cleaner future that gives Georgians access to tools to increase their energy efficiency and lower their energy bills,” said Sen. Reverend Warnock.
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-06) is leading the effort in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Making Section 25D refundable unlocks the opportunity for more than 40 million households to realize the benefits of having solar panels at home — including 3.2 million Black households and 3 million Hispanic households,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “I am proud to join my Senate colleagues in leading this effort so we can tackle greenhouse gas emissions from homes and promote energy equity in low- and medium-income communities, all while lowering electricity bills.”
Sen. Ossoff joined Sens. Booker, Duckworth, Schatz, Padilla, Feinstein, and 19 fellow Senators in a letter last month calling to make solar panels and other energy efficient technology more affordable for consumers.
Sen. Ossoff’s new legislation has earned the support of hundreds of industry leaders in Georgia and nationwide.
Click here to read the Clean Energy for All Homes Act.
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