Nebraska leaders speak out against federal cuts Congress is considering to clean energy ta
April 9, 2025
INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY IN THE LAST DECADE, AND THAT TREND IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE. BUT NOW THE INDUSTRY IS FACING SOME CUTS THAT COULD PREVENT ITS GROWTH. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN’S MARY REGLI IS TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL CUT AND HOW IT WOULD AFFECT NEBRASKANS. THESE SOLAR PANELS HERE ON THE ROOF OF WINE, BEER AND SPIRITS HAVE SAVED THE COMPANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THANKS TO A FEDERAL TAX CREDIT. BUT NOW THAT TAX CREDIT IS IN JEOPARDY. RIGHT NOW, CONGRESS IS CONSIDERING A MAJOR TAX AND BUDGET PACKAGE WHICH COULD REMOVE TAX CREDITS THAT SAVE BUSINESSES AND HOMEOWNERS UP TO 30% ON CLEAN ENERGY INSTALLATION. LOCAL LEADERS ARE SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE POTENTIAL REPEAL. YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, I WANT TO SEE TAX CREDITS TO ENCOURAGE AMERICAN ENERGY PRODUCTION, BUT THAT WILL BE ALL PART OF THE NEGOTIATION OF HOW WE COME UP WITH A TOTAL TAX PACKAGE. SAUNDERS COUNTY FARMER ALAN MEYER SAYS THE SOLAR PANELS HAVE MADE A MAJOR DIFFERENCE AT HIS HOME, AND HE WOULDN’T HAVE GOTTEN THEM WITHOUT THE CREDIT. HAVING SOLAR INSTALLED ON MY HOME MEANT THAT THE FOOD IN MY FRIDGE AND FREEZER KEPT FROM SPOILING DURING OUR RECENT BLIZZARD, WHEN POWER WAS OUT FOR THAT FULL WEEK. WINE, BEER AND SPIRITS CEO AARON CANAN SAYS THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR PANELS ARE HARD TO IGNORE. OUR FIRST MONTH, OUR BILL WENT DOWN 80% AND THAT TRANSLATED INTO SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS. IF THE TAX CREDIT IS REPEALED, THE CU SCHOOL SYSTEM IS ONE ORGANIZATION THAT WILL FEEL THE BLOW. THEY SAY IT WOULD COST THEM $200,000. WE WENT FROM BEING VERY EXCITED ABOUT SAVING MONEY ON OUR ELECTRICAL BILLS, SO WE COULD HAVE MORE MONEY TO SPEND ON THE EDUCATION OF OUR NEARLY 600 CHILDREN IN THE POOREST NEIGHBORHOODS IN OMAHA, TO WORRYING ABOUT HAVING TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM THEIR EDUCATION TO PAY FOR THIS PROJECT. LIZ VESSEY WITH SOLAR UNITED NEIGHBORS ACTION ENCOURAGES NEBRASKANS TO REACH OUT TO THEIR REPRESENTATIVES AND SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE CUT. I THINK WE’RE HEARING POSITIVE THINGS, BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE AND KEEP THE PRESSURE ON BECAUSE WE THINK THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT. IF THE TAX CREDIT IS REMOVED, SHE SAYS, WE CAN EXPECT TO SEE A MAJOR LOSS OF JOBS AND OF PROFITS HERE I
Nebraska leaders speak out against federal cuts as Congress considers cuts to clean energy tax credit
Renewable energy usage has increased exponentially in the past decade, and it’s forecasted to continue that trend. But now, the industry is facing some cuts that would prevent its growth. The solar panels on the roof of Wine, Beer and Spirits have saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars thanks to a federal tax credit. But now that tax credit is in jeopardy.Right now, Congress is considering a major tax and budget package, which could remove tax credits that save businesses and homeowners up to 30% on clean energy installation.”You know obviously, I want to see tax credits that encourage American energy production, but that will be all part of the negotiation of how we come up with the total tax package,” said Sen. Pete Ricketts.Leaders from local businesses, communities, and families are speaking out against the potential repeal. “Having solar installed on my home meant that the food in my fridge and freezer kept from spoiling during our recent blizzard when power was out for that full week,” said Alan Meyer.Wine Beer and Spirits CEO Aaron Conan said the tax credit just makes sense, and they likely wouldn’t have gotten solar panels without the tax credit. “Our first month, our bill went down 80%, and that translated into several thousand dollars,” he said.If the tax credit is repealed, the cues school system is one organization that will feel the blow. They said it would cost them $200,000.”We went from being very excited about saving money on our electrical bills, so we could have more money to spend on the education of our nearly 600 children in the poorest neighborhoods in Omaha, to worrying about having to take money away from their education to pay for this project,” said Fr. Dave Korth.Liz Veazey with Solar United Neighbors Action said the solar market in Nebraska is just starting to gain traction and this tax credit helps that growth.”Nebraska really needs the federal solar investments to continue to grow our economy, attract new businesses, support good jobs, support American energy dominance, and keep energy bills from rising,” Veazey said.If the tax credit is removed, Veazey said we can expect to see a major loss of jobs and of profits here in Nebraska. NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Renewable energy usage has increased exponentially in the past decade, and it’s forecasted to continue that trend.
But now, the industry is facing some cuts that would prevent its growth.
The solar panels on the roof of Wine, Beer and Spirits have saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars thanks to a federal tax credit. But now that tax credit is in jeopardy.
Right now, Congress is considering a major tax and budget package, which could remove tax credits that save businesses and homeowners up to 30% on clean energy installation.
“You know obviously, I want to see tax credits that encourage American energy production, but that will be all part of the negotiation of how we come up with the total tax package,” said Sen. Pete Ricketts.
Leaders from local businesses, communities, and families are speaking out against the potential repeal.
“Having solar installed on my home meant that the food in my fridge and freezer kept from spoiling during our recent blizzard when power was out for that full week,” said Alan Meyer.
Wine Beer and Spirits CEO Aaron Conan said the tax credit just makes sense, and they likely wouldn’t have gotten solar panels without the tax credit.
“Our first month, our bill went down 80%, and that translated into several thousand dollars,” he said.
If the tax credit is repealed, the cues school system is one organization that will feel the blow. They said it would cost them $200,000.
“We went from being very excited about saving money on our electrical bills, so we could have more money to spend on the education of our nearly 600 children in the poorest neighborhoods in Omaha, to worrying about having to take money away from their education to pay for this project,” said Fr. Dave Korth.
Liz Veazey with Solar United Neighbors Action said the solar market in Nebraska is just starting to gain traction and this tax credit helps that growth.
“Nebraska really needs the federal solar investments to continue to grow our economy, attract new businesses, support good jobs, support American energy dominance, and keep energy bills from rising,” Veazey said.
If the tax credit is removed, Veazey said we can expect to see a major loss of jobs and of profits here in Nebraska.
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