PRESS RELEASE: 133 U.S. Mayors and Local Elected Officials Representing 25 Million Americans Call on Congress to Preserve Clean Energy Tax Credits & Protect Economic Benefits for Local Communities
Credits secure millions in cost savings for communities, build American energy independence, and help reduce pollution
Washington, D.C. (February 10, 2025) – Today, 133 mayors and local elected officials from 39 states plus Washington D.C. sent a letter to members of Congress calling on them to preserve all clean energy tax credits available to state and local governments through elective pay. Of the signatories, 88 are mayors and 68 are also members of Climate Mayors, a network of U.S. mayors demonstrating climate leadership through meaningful actions in their communities.
“We urge you to prioritize the economic and energy future of our communities by preserving all clean energy tax credits available to state and local governments through elective pay,” the mayors and local elected officials wrote.
Local governments and organizations would feel the brunt of any repeals and losing access to credits would place the viability of projects nationwide in jeopardy. Over 1,200 U.S. organizations, including over 500 state and local governments, have accessed these incentives after only one year of elective pay’s implementation. The over 130 mayors representing 25 million Americans emphasized their concerns that the repeal of beneficial clean energy tax credits could create economic uncertainty in their communities and would revoke access to important cost-saving projects that have only just begun to transform the lives and livelihoods of residents and businesses.
Elective pay provides local governments, as well as hospitals, schools, places of worship and other essential organizations, tax credits and cost savings to access clean, affordable energy. Using elective pay can help save thousands of dollars on infrastructure improvements and energy projects, and directly results in good-paying jobs, lower energy costs, and stronger and more energy-independent communities.
Because of tax credits, municipalities and local organizations have been able to move forward with projects delivering direct and much-needed benefits to communities. Access to billions of dollars in funding and credits for critical projects has transformed cities like San Antonio, Texas, which has installed solar panels in 42 sites across the city from just $10 million in clean energy tax credits. The new installations are expected to save up to $11 million in energy costs over the next 25 years, while creating full-time jobs and reducing pollution. In Madison, Wisconsin an estimated $350,000 from elective pay tax credits and rebates will be reinvested towards the procurement of electric vehicles (EVs) and the installation of EV charging infrastructure at city-owned sites and facilities – investments that not only increase options for commuters, but supports cleaner air and better health outcomes for all.
In the letter, the local leaders called on elected officials to prevent the repeal of any clean energy incentives and the harm that blocking the credits would have on local economies and communities. Families could see their annual energy costs rise by $489 a year and a repeal would result in job losses, reduced private sector investments, slower economic growth, and diminished global competitiveness.
Read the full letter here.
