By Laura Durenberger-Grunow - Boreal Community Media - May 22, 2025

Earlier today, US House of Representatives members passed President Trump's One, Big, Beautiful Bill in a narrow vote of 215-214. The bill sets the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and according to the White House, it includes increased spending in certain areas, such as border security. The bill also includes "the largest tax cuts in American history," which include reductions to green energy programs, including those utilized by homeowners pursuing energy-efficient upgrades like solar. If passed, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill could reshape the landscape of green energy initiatives, tax credits, and rebates available to homeowners across the United States, according to the Cook County Local Energy Project (CCLEP). 

Green Energy Tax Credits 

In 2022, former President Joe Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which, along with the companion bill, the CHIPS Act, allocated over $400 billion to focus on green energy manufacturing, reducing emissions, providing cleaner electricity options, and combating climate change. One component of the IRA was the provision of tax credits to homeowners for energy-efficient improvements. These credits included up to 30% off the cost of solar installations on private homes, rebates for electric vehicles, and energy-efficient appliances. 

In a recent blog post, CCLEP stated that "the potential rollback of these credits could affect the renewable energy sector, potentially freezing investments and increasing electricity costs across multiple states." Additionally, some worry that losing these credits and rebates could mean the end of progress already made in the green energy sector in the United States. 

Home Energy Rebates 

The IRA allocated $8.8 billion for home energy rebate programs to help homeowners offset the costs of upgrading things like heat pumps, electric panels, and induction stoves. CCLEP said that these rebates have been utilized by homeowners seeking to reduce their energy consumption and utility bills, especially low-income homeowners who otherwise may not have been able to afford the upgrades. 

While some funds for these programs have been frozen by the Trump administration, others have been able to continue. These include the 30% rebates for solar installation that still exist in the 2025 tax code. If passed, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill would end these rebates. 

CCLEP encourages homeowners who are thinking of or planning to install solar to do so within the 2025 calendar year. Cook County residents can join the Solar United Neighbors’ Northeast Minnesota Solar Co-op and save by purchasing solar through the co-op model. An online informational meeting is scheduled for June 17. Learn more here.