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Another PTC/ITC Extension for Wind/Solar? Just Say NO

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- May 1, 2026

“The continued reliance on ‘clean’ energy tax credits is a political crutch…. Those who have introduced this legislation … should be working to phase out these subsidies more quickly, not doubling down on them.” – Tom Pyle, AEA president (below)

A recent press release by the American Energy Alliance (the advocacy arm of the Institute for Energy Research) called it an “Election-Year Betrayal to Reinstate Wind and Solar Subsidies.” For two energies touting their affordability for consumers, this is disingenuous. Socializing the cost-premium to taxpayers, and unnecessarily industrializing the pristine landscape (real ecologists, please stand up) is bad public policy. And with more than a dozen extensions of the “temporary tax credits” (15 for solar, 14 for wind), the mirage of competitiveness by an infant industry (not) is exposed.

The full press release follows:

WASHINGTON DC (4/29/26) – Last Thursday, a small group of Republican Congressmen, led by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), introduced legislation to remove the deadlines placed under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act on renewable tax credits, including the Wind Production Tax Credit and the Solar Investment Tax Credit.

American Energy Alliance President Tom Pyle issued the following statement: 

“The continued reliance on ‘clean’ energy tax credits is a political crutch that forces taxpayers to subsidize technologies that clearly cannot stand on their own. Those who have introduced this legislation – many of whom voted to pass the OBBB – should be working to phase out these subsidies more quickly, not doubling down on them.

“With all of these Members facing a battle for reelection, it’s surprising that subsidizing large corporations is their number one priority. Introducing legislation now to eliminate the tax credit deadlines is the obvious bait-and-switch we warned about a year ago, as these members push to revive preferential treatment for their favored industries. As I have said before, extending green giveaways on the backs of taxpayers is shortsighted and neglectful. The American people deserve better than the fast one these Members are trying to pull.” 

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