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As a union ironworker in Bangor, I see firsthand how federal clean energy incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act have made a real difference for working families here in Maine. We’re all feeling the pinch of rising energy bills, and good jobs that don’t require a college degree are harder to come by. But we have a solution right in front of us: A strong, local clean energy industry that’s creating good-paying jobs and helping to lower energy costs.

Thanks to federal tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, we’ve seen new clean energy projects pop up all over the state. Projects to upgrade our energy infrastructure require a highly skilled union workforce, and Mainers are ready to supply that. We need a way to get working people better wages and benefits so we’re able to provide for our families.

Clean energy projects in solar and wind are just the start of what we can do if we have the funding we need. Maine has already seen billions of dollars in investments and a huge boost in the clean energy we produce if our elected leaders do the right thing and protect the IRA.

If Congress rolls back federal incentives like the IRA, we’ll pay for it with fewer jobs and even higher energy bills.

That’s why I’m calling on Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Jared Golden to stand with Maine families and help protect the Inflation Reduction Act. We need them to fight for these federal incentives that are making a real difference in our communities.

Let’s keep Maine’s energy future affordable, reliable and built right here.

Yanel Greene
Bangor