Federal Energy Tax Credits Will Cost More Than $4 Trillion. Lawmakers Might Not Cut Them.

With a continuing resolution passed and the federal government funded through September, Republican members of Congress are aiming to finalize a budget resolution, which needs to be agreed to by both chambers, by the week of April 7, reports Politico. This self-imposed deadline may not be met. 

One of the largest sticking points in House and Senate negotiations is the House-passed plan to identify $880 billion in spending cuts through FY 2034 in programs overseen by the Energy and Commerce Committee. This feat would likely require substantial reforms or cuts to entitlements like Medicaid. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R–S.C.), the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, called the House’s plan “woefully inadequate.” 

A source of wasteful spending that lawmakers could target is energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).  

Passed in 2022, the IRA supercharged subsidies and tax credits for all types of energy technologies, including renewables, sustainable aviation fuel, nuclear power, and electric vehicles. The bill also gave oil and gas companies access to $500 billion in new tax credits, according to the tax firm Baker Tilly. So far, the IRA’s subsidies have largely benefited wealthy households and large corporations.

The Congressional Budget Office initially projected the

Read More

Article from Reason.com

Reason Magazine

The Reason Magazine website is a go-to destination for libertarians seeking cogent analysis, investigative reporting, and thought-provoking commentary. Championing the principles of individual freedom, limited government, and free markets, the site offers a diverse range of articles, videos, and podcasts that challenge conventional wisdom and advocate for libertarian solutions. Whether you’re interested in politics, culture, or technology, Reason provides a unique lens that prioritizes liberty and rational discourse. It’s an essential resource for those who value critical thinking and nuanced debate in the pursuit of a freer society.