By Eric Eisenhammer

If you live in California, you already know — life here isn’t cheap. Our energy bills are some of the highest in the country. Gas prices are ridiculous. And it feels like every summer, we’re bracing for another blackout, wildfire, or heatwave.

That’s why we, as taxpayers, should be paying close attention to the energy tax credits Congress is debating right now. The clean energy incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act — the ones that help families afford solar panels, electric cars, better insulation, and backup batteries — are potential cuts in the ongoing budget negotiations. And honestly, letting these credits go would be a huge mistake for everyday Californians.

First off, these tax credits save regular people real money.
If you’re thinking about getting rooftop solar, for example, there’s a federal credit that covers up to 30% of the cost. Combine that with California’s local programs — like the $15,000 rebates for low-income families installing solar — and suddenly, clean energy isn’t just for rich homeowners anymore. It’s an option for teachers, firefighters, small business owners, and retirees trying to cut their monthly electric bill.

Same goes for electric cars. Buying an EV can feel out of reach, but with a $7,500 federal tax credit plus California’s own rebates, the upfront price drops dramatically. More EVs mean fewer trips to the gas station — something all of us can appreciate, especially with gas flirting with $5 or $6 a gallon in some parts of the state.

These tax credits don’t just help individual families, though. They boost our entire economy.

Installing solar panels, upgrading old air conditioners, building EV chargers — that’s work that stays local. It’s electricians, HVAC techs, construction crews, and small businesses getting contracts and hiring workers. Clean energy jobs can’t be outsourced overseas — they’re happening right here, in our communities.

And let’s be real: California’s power grid needs all the help it can get.

Between heatwaves frying transformers and wildfires taking out transmission lines, every summer seems to bring another set of power outages. More homes with solar panels and batteries means fewer blackouts, less strain on the grid, and more resilience when disaster strikes. It’s not just a climate thing — it’s about keeping the lights (and air conditioning) on when we need it most.

And Californians actually want this.

A July 2024 poll from the Public Policy Institute of California found that two-thirds of residents support the goal of 100% clean electricity by 2045. And just this past election, voters passed a $10 billion bond for climate and clean energy projects. It’s clear: We care about clean energy because it’s about protecting our health, our wallets, and our future.

Preserving the federal energy tax credits isn’t some distant political debate. It’s about making sure a family in Kern County can afford solar panels. It’s about helping a nurse in Orange County buy an EV. It’s about making sure our power stays on during the next big heatwave.

Congress has a choice: Keep these tax credits to continue building a stronger, cleaner, and more affordable California for all of us. As a taxpayer advocate, I say — let’s keep the momentum going.