Washington Governor Bob Ferguson has detailed what he calls the devastating impacts of President Donald Trump’s reconciliation bill on the state’s clean economy, environment and energy future.
According to Ferguson, the bill passed out of Congress last week puts at least $8.7 billion in Washington’s clean energy investments at risk.
Under the bill, Republicans voted to phase out federal incentives for wind, solar and other clean technologies by 2028, while maintaining and expanding subsidies for fossil fuel industries.
Ferguson called the bill anything but beautiful for Washington, and says it moves the state of Washington in the wrong direction.
The U.S. Climate Alliance estimates 21,800 Washingtonians will lose their jobs by 2030 due to the reconciliation bill’s reduction in clean energy and manufacturing tax credits.
According to Ferguson, the legislation threatens Washington’s energy security and electric grid reliability by stifling solar, wind and battery resources at a time of soaring electricity demand. Additionally, the U.S. Climate Alliance estimates the bill’s removal of wind and solar energy tax credits will raise Washington households’ electricity costs by $115 per year by 2029.
