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Analysis: Senate GOP’s Updated Megabill is Still a Disaster for Affordability, Jobs, and Clean Energy

Our policy summary of the terrible so-called “Big Beautiful Bill”

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It’s official: Republican Senate Leadership has released an updated version of their tax megabill, which will likely be the version that goes to the floor for a final vote. And somehow, it’s even worse than before. Senate Republicans are proposing passing legislation that will lock in higher household energy bills, kill American jobs, sell out the health of working and frontline communities, harm Medicaid, jeopardize food assistance, and torch our future. 

If this bill passes, Republicans would be responsible for the loss of over 800,000 jobs, raising the average American’s electricity bills by 10 percent, and in a time of intense heat and grid demand, they’ll be reducing new energy capacity installed on the grid by at least 50 percent. All this—simply to line the pockets of billionaires, fossil fuel executives, and their top corporate backers with massive tax cuts. 

We analyzed the latest proposed Senate bill text for the Senate Finance Committee (“Finance”), the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (“ENR”) Committee, and the Senate Environment and Public Works (“EPW”) Committee, to explain how these sweeping cuts will harm pocketbooks, health, and our planet. 

In the coming days, the Senate is expected to put this chilling legislation to a vote. If it passes, the GOP’s megabill will return to the House for passage. As this process unfolds, we will continue to provide updates on the disastrous tax package. 

 

What’s the Status of the So-Called One Big Beautiful Bill?

In August 2022, Congress passed historic clean energy investments as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These investments were strategically designed to make energy bills more affordable, revitalize American manufacturing, create millions of good jobs for working Americans, and cut pollution to tackle the escalating climate crisis. But Congressional Republicans are now unleashing a full-scale attack on these transformational investments, even though the lion’s share of the benefits from these investments have been flowing to GOP districts.   

The first part of the GOP’s plan culminated in May, when House Republicans passed their so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill.” This bill lumped together a series of devastating cuts to Medicaid and food assistance with an attempt to functionally repeal or completely eliminate critical programs like clean energy tax credits, advanced manufacturing tax credits, Environmental Justice Block Grants, and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF).

The GOP’s disastrous tax bill then moved to the Senate, where Republicans proposed further cuts to clean energy provisions, food assistance, and Medicaid during the committee markup process. Next, the Senate Parliamentarian combed through the legislation to determine which provisions of the GOP’s megabill must be taken out of the package, a procedural prerequisite for passage of any reconciliation bill. Among the provisions knocked out of the bill were the previously proposed repeal of the light-duty and medium-duty vehicle emissions standards and a former provision that would have allowed natural gas exporters to pay a fee to have dangerous liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects automatically deemed in the public interest. Now that the Parliamentarian’s review is mostly over, the Senate has released its updated text

Make no mistake: The updated Senate text is still a staggering affront to American communities who are already struggling with a cost-of-living crisis, working people who are trying to support their families, those living in sacrifice zones with polluted air and water, and anyone counting on a livable future on our planet. 

 

 

Senate Finance Committee Analysis

The Senate Committee on Finance (“Finance”) covers the tax-writing and revenue-raising elements of the reconciliation bill. The updated bill text includes major cuts to the federal energy tax credits that are already delivering enormous benefits, particularly in Republican districts. This proposal will be disastrous for households across America, raising the average American’s electricity bills by 10 percent. The proposed cuts to tax credits will kill energy and manufacturing jobs at a time of economic hardship for many families across the nation. 

 

Summary of What the Senate Finance Committee Proposed

  • The Senate Finance bill guts critical tax credits for clean energy, clean vehicles, home efficiency, and clean manufacturing. The updated text proposal goes beyond the repeal of clean energy tax credits—even imposing new taxes on solar and wind energy projects, which throws up further obstacles to clean energy growth. These changes will kill clean energy and manufacturing jobs, raise energy prices, and increase pollution. 
  • Tax credits for wind and solar will be effectively repealed immediately, and new taxes will be applied to solar and wind projects. These changes will make the grid less reliable by cutting back 50 percent of the new capacity that was expected to be added to it within the next decade. 
  • The bill eliminates tax credits for new and used electric vehicles, commercial clean vehicles, and fueling infrastructure. This would stall the American-made EV industry, resulting in significant job losses across the auto industry. 
  • The Senate Republicans’ text accelerates the phase-out of manufacturing tax credits that support American businesses and supply chains, and which have brought billions of investments to the U.S.
  • The bill cuts tax credits that make homes and buildings more efficient and more affordable to operate. Eliminating these credits will not only take money out of the pockets of Americans who rely on these credits but also add more pressure to the electric grid. 

 

1. Clean Energy Tax Credits (45Y and 48E)

Let’s start with one of the most powerful tools supporting the rapid deployment of new energy generation and a modern, reliable, and affordable electricity grid for American homes and businesses: the IRA’s clean electricity tax credits.

The Production Tax Credit (PTC) (45Y) is a technology-neutral tax credit that subsidizes the production of zero-emission energy sources like solar, wind, nuclear, hydropower, and geothermal. For every kilowatt hour (kWh) of clean energy generated, the producer gets a base credit of 2.6¢/kWh if they meet certain criteria. Similarly, the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) (48E) provides a credit of 30 percent (or more) of the investment into these same zero-emission energy generation technology projects, including energy storage.

2. Electric Vehicle Credits (45W, 30D, 30C, 25E)

The IRA’s electric vehicle (EV) tax credits have been rapidly accelerating America’s clean auto industry and job growth. At the same time, these tax credits have made EVs more financially accessible for some families. Households and commercial companies can receive tax credits for purchasing new electric vehicles (up to $7,500) and used electric vehicles (up to $4,000), as well as for chargers and installation. 

3. Manufacturing Tax Credits (45X and 48C)

The Advanced Energy Manufacturing Production Credit (45X) provides an incentive to manufacturing facilities that produce clean energy components or systems in the U.S. Facilities that produce solar, wind, advanced batteries, and certain critical minerals are rewarded for re-shoring supply chains in America. The Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit (48C) incentivizes investment in advanced energy projects, such as clean energy manufacturing and recycling, critical mineral processing, and industrial decarbonization projects. The 48C tax credit supports the development of a domestic supply chain for these clean energy projects. 

4. Home Energy Efficiency Tax Credits (25C, 45L, 179D)

Thanks to the IRA, households can take tax credits of 30 percent off (up to $2,000) for installing a heat pump or heat pump water heater, plus $1,200 for weatherization and insulation via the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C). The 25C tax credit helped 2.3 million American families improve their homes and reduce their monthly energy bills in 2023. Families are saving an average of $130 a year in energy costs. By 2032, homeowners are expected to use the credit enough to cut peak electric demand by 3,400 MW.

The New Energy Efficient Home Credit (45L) provides incentives to builders of homes that meet Energy Star or Zero-Energy Ready Home standards. This credit assisted with the construction of nearly 350,000 efficient new homes in 2024 and cut homeowner energy bills by about $450 per year.

The Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings Deduction (179D) provides a tax deduction for installing energy-efficient appliances and equipment in commercial buildings, like energy-efficient heating, lighting, and hot water. This deduction applies to building upgrades on existing properties, as well as new construction.

5. Residential Clean Energy Tax Credits (25D)

Dating back to 2005, the Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit provides households with a 30 percent tax credit for rooftop solar, wind power, geothermal heating systems, and battery systems. In 2023, 1.2 million American families took advantage of the residential clean energy tax credit, and now 5 percent of US households have solar. And all of that small-scale solar adds up, with over 66GW installed, amounting to more than one-third of US solar capacity.

6. Foreign Entity of Concern 

The Senate Finance bill contains extreme restrictions on the clean energy tax credits through the “Foreign Entity of Concern” (FEOC) provisions. A FEOC has previously been considered an entity that is owned, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction of a particular nation, such as China, Russia, or North Korea. Though FEOC requirements have been imposed in the past (such as through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), they have not typically interfered with tax incentives.

7. Other IRA Programs Affected by Senate Finance Text

  • Direct Pay (aka Elective Pay): These provisions in current law are not themselves amended, but they will be functionally unusable for the technologies for which energy tax credits are no longer applied. 
  • Clean Fuels Credits (45Z): This section of the bill adds a requirement that the fuel must be produced or grown in North America (U.S., Mexico, or Canada), which will be effective after December 31, 2025. It amends the credit such that the emissions rate cannot be less than zero; amends the credit to exclude any emissions attributed to indirect land use changes, and allows the Secretary to determine adjustments on regulations and methodologies; and amends the credit with respect to fuel derived from animal manure, by giving a specific emissions rate for each animal manure feedstock. All these changes will take effect in 2026. 45Z is extended through December 31, 2029. 
  • Carbon Capture Credits (45Q): FEOC requirements added. It increases the credit value and boosts the credit for carbon used for more oil production.
  • Hydrogen Production Tax Credit (45V): Requires a facility to begin construction by January 1, 2028, instead of January 1, 2033, to be eligible for the credit.
  • Nuclear Tax Credit (45U): Adds FEOC restrictions beginning at the date of enactment for specified foreign entities, and within two years of enactment for other prohibited foreign entities. Additional prohibition of credits to covered nations/entities, including restrictions on imported nuclear fuel that was produced in a covered nation/by a covered entity, with the exception of fuel acquired before January 1, 2023. Restrictions on foreign entities began in taxable years following enactment; restrictions on imported fuels begin after December 31, 2027.

 


 

 

Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee Analysis

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) covers, among other things, any elements of the reconciliation bill related to air and water pollution, environmental policy, and public buildings. This part of the reconciliation bill repeals many federal grant programs created by the IRA.

 

Summary of What the Senate EPW Committee Proposed

  • The Senate EPW bill text largely mirrors the final House text, harming flagship climate programs.
  • The bill repeals the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF). And it rescinds unobligated balances from key programs like Environmental Justice Block Grants and the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG).
  • The bill delays the imposition of a historic methane fee for ten years, rendering the effort to cut this climate super pollutant ineffective. 
  • The Senate bill proposes an “opt-in” fee for project sponsors to pay that expedites their project’s environmental review under NEPA.

 

8. Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund

The $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) is the largest grant program within the IRA. This $27 billion is divided into three programs: the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), and Solar for All. Not only does this program provide a significant investment in pollution-reducing clean energy technology and green banks, but it also benefits communities that have been historically overlooked and underserved, bringing greater equity to the clean energy transition. For months, the Trump administration has waged an unsubstantiated assault on this fund. At every turn, the administration has been unable to justify its attacks to undermine this program, failing to offer evidence to support its bogus claims of fraud, waste, or abuse.

 

9. Climate Pollution Reduction Grants

The Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) are an EPA program established as part of a new Clean Air Act Section 137 created in the IRA, which provides grants to state, local, and Tribal governments to create and implement programs that reduce emissions and support jobs and communities. It was funded with $5 billion, including $250 million in planning grants, $4.6 billion for implementation grants, and the remaining balance for technical assistance and program implementation. These grants have been used to support state, local, and Tribal governments in nearly all 50 states.

10. Environmental Justice Block Grants

This first-of-its-kind $3 billion federal program aims to empower disadvantaged communities to determine and design their own visions of pollution reduction and clean energy investment. The Environmental Justice (EJ) Block Grants, also known as the Community Change Grants, provide highly flexible funding that goes directly to nonprofit organizations serving these communities. This means projects are designed by and for communities to address their unique needs and build resilience to extreme weather events and environmental risks.

11. Methane Emissions and Waste Reduction Incentive Program

Methane is a potent, planet-heating greenhouse gas that oil and gas operators often flare or leak into the atmosphere. That’s why Congress passed the Waste Emissions Charge (WEC) through the IRA in 2022, requiring oil and gas operators to pay a penalty fee if they exceed a certain level of methane pollution. Soon after, the Biden-led EPA introduced a rule implementing the WEC. But at the beginning of 2025, the Republican-controlled Congress voted to eliminate that rule. Now, Congress is trying to get rid of the fee outright via the budget reconciliation bill. 

12. Opt-In Fee Program under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is our nation’s bedrock environmental law. It requires federal agencies to assess the environmental impact of all major proposed government projects.

13. Other IRA Programs Affected by the Senate EPW Bill

Here’s a selection of programs that saw funding rescissions:

  • Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program under Sec. 132 of the Clean Air Act
  • Air quality monitoring in fenceline communities (Sec. 60105 of the IRA).
  • Air quality monitoring in schools (Sec. 60106 of the IRA).
  • Lots of embodied carbon programs, including the environmental product declaration assistance, low-embodied carbon labeling, GSA emerging and sustainable technologies program, and more.

 

What Didn’t Survive the "Byrd Bath" in the Senate EPW Text? 

The Senate Parliamentarian advised that several provisions in the Senate’s former EPW bill text did not meet the requirements of the Byrd rule. This means that the following provisions have been struck from the bill:

  • Republicans tried to repeal statutory authorizations for the Inflation Reduction Act and rescind funds. The parliamentarian ruled that the GOP’s megabill can rescind funding, but it cannot repeal their authorization. This means Congress could provide funding for them in the future. 
  • Republicans wanted to repeal the EPA’s tailpipe emissions rule, also known as the multipollutant emissions standards for model years 2027 and later light-duty and medium-duty vehicles. Fortunately, this provision has been struck from the text.
  • Republicans wanted to enable project sponsors to speed up environmental reviews and skirt judicial review for a fee. The parliamentarian found the judicial portion violated the Byrd rule and was therefore struck. 

 


 

 

Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee Analysis

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) covers policies related to energy resources and development, which include regulations and conservation efforts, nuclear energy, as well as Tribal affairs, public lands and their renewable resources, and federal leasing and related activities. This component of the reconciliation bill repeals critical IRA programs that were putting the nation on track to be energy dominant, while also cutting health-harming air and climate pollution.

 

Summary of What the Senate ENR Committee Proposed

  • The GOP’s ENR bill will generate more climate disasters and harm to frontline communities by lowering fees required to lease land for oil and natural gas drilling and establishing a minimum number of required onshore and offshore oil and gas sales annually.
  • The Senate bill will sell off public lands in eleven western states.
  • Republicans will eliminate the majority of new funds and programs under the Department of Energy Loan Program Office, which will undermine American businesses and U.S. technology leadership. 
  • The GOP will repeal and rescind the remaining funds for the Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment program, which will be a major blow to US economic competitiveness.

 

14. Oil, Gas, and Coal Leasing Handouts

America’s public lands and waters are precious—and coal, oil, and gas extraction that currently occurs there must end if we want to align with the latest climate science. But in this bill, the GOP has promised to further plunder lands currently managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) — while slashing the royalty rates paid by oil and gas corporations to exploit America’s public lands.

15. Derailing Transmission Reforms

There are several IRA programs at DOE that support the expansion of electricity transmission infrastructure in the U.S. and are critical to providing affordable and reliable power for Americans. These include the Transmission Facility Financing program; the Offshore Wind Electricity Transmission Planning, Modeling, and Analysis program; and the Grants to Facilitate the Siting of Interstate Electricity Transmission Lines. These programs are especially important at a time of rising electricity demand, fueled by data centers to power artificial intelligence (AI), increasing electrification of vehicles and buildings, and an American manufacturing renaissance.

16. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office

The Department of Energy Loan Programs Office (LPO) was created with strong bipartisan support during the George W. Bush administration, and for the last two decades, it has provided critical financing for American energy, manufacturing, mining, and other industrial projects that reduce emissions and support American leadership in the fast-growing clean energy economy. To date, LPO has financed approximately $90 billion in innovative energy and manufacturing projects, including a $465 million loan to Elon Musk’s Tesla Motors in 2010. At the end of 2024, LPO had collected over $5 billion in interest payments from its loans, meaning that it has made a profit for American taxpayers.

17. Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program

The Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program (AIFDP) was created in the IRA and funded with over $5.8 billion to advance industrial decarbonization and support American manufacturing’s global economic competitiveness. The program has provided funds for innovative low-carbon cement manufacturing projects in Indiana, Georgia, Texas, and Virginia, for next-generation aluminum manufacturing in Colorado, for low-carbon steel production in multiple states, and much more.

What Didn’t Survive the "Byrd Bath" in the Senate ENR Text?

The Senate Parliamentarian advised that a handful of ENR provisions did not comply with the Byrd rule. That means those provisions would be subject to a 60-vote threshold, as opposed to a 50-vote threshold, and in turn, they have been struck from the megabill. Struck provisions include:

  • The GOP wanted to introduce a “pay-to-play” approach to proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports by allowing exporters to pay a $1 million fee to have their projects deemed in the “public interest,” effectively allowing them to buy out one of the approval stages from DOE.
  • Republicans wanted to introduce a provision that would declare that offshore oil and gas projects are automatically compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
  • The GOP also wanted to require offshore oil and gas leases to be issued to successful bidders within 90 days of sale.
  • Republicans wanted to mandate the sale of millions of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service lands.
  • The GOP wanted to require the Secretary of the Interior to rubber-stamp the construction of Ambler Road, a proposed mining road in Alaska.
  • Republicans wanted to remove the Secretary of the Interior’s discretion to lower fees for solar and wind projects on public land.
  • The GOP wanted to require the Secretary of the Interior to hold annual geothermal lease sales and make changes to geothermal royalties.

 

 


 

 

Conclusion

Senate Republicans are taking money out of working people’s pockets to give tax breaks to billionaires. Throughout the entire reconciliation process, the GOP has taken a wrecking ball to programs that make energy affordable for households, reduce toxic pollution, combat the climate crisis, provide life-changing healthcare, and nourish families with food assistance. 

Next, the GOP’s megabill will move toward a vote in the Senate, before being sent back to the House for a final vote. Allowing this one big, bad bill to pass would be disastrous for Americans today and in the future.