The House version of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” will likely have significant consequences for renewable energy development in Maryland and nationwide. 

The “One Big Beautiful Bill,” recently passed by the U.S. House, would significantly roll back clean energy provisions established under the Inflation Reduction Act. If enacted, the bill would eliminate major tax credits for clean electricity production and investment unless projects begin within 60 days of passage or come online before 2029. It would also phase out residential and transportation-related incentives—such as tax breaks for home solar systems, energy-efficient upgrades, electric vehicles, and charging stations—by the end of 2025. The legislation imposes tighter requirements on domestic sourcing and removes the ability to transfer credits, making it harder to finance clean energy projects and likely increasing construction costs.

Analysts warn the bill could reverse much of the progress spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act. Modeling suggests that renewable energy growth through 2035 could drop by over 50%, with emissions rising by up to a billion metric tons by 2030. Industry groups and research institutions project the potential loss of up to 300,000 clean energy jobs, particularly in states with growing solar, wind, and EV industries. Additionally, electricity costs may increase in communities benefiting from current clean energy investments. The Senate is now reviewing the legislation, but its future remains uncertain, especially given some Republican concerns about the scope of the proposed cuts.

Impact on Maryland

According to an analysis from Energy Innovation, the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act could present significant challenges for Maryland’s clean energy trajectory. The legislation puts at risk approximately $620 million in private investment across 69 projects and may reduce anticipated solar and battery storage capacity by nearly 8 GW by 2035. Households could experience higher energy costs—an average increase of $330 per year in 2030 and $590 in 2035—amounting to over $8 billion in additional spending statewide through 2035. The bill may also slow job growth in the clean energy sector, with projections estimating a potential loss of 14,400 jobs in 2030 and a cumulative $18 billion reduction in GDP over the next decade. Additionally, increased reliance on fossil fuels could contribute to higher emissions and air quality concerns, underscoring the importance of balanced policymaking that supports both economic and environmental goals.

Read the full story. 

Read the national analysis by Energy Innovation.

Read the Maryland analysis by Energy Innovation.