Ohio’s top business advocates, alongside city officials and clean energy companies, are calling on Congress to retain the federal energy tax credits enacted in 2022. As lawmakers negotiate President Donald Trump’s latest budget reconciliation proposal, Ohio leaders are voicing concern that rolling back these credits could disrupt the state’s energy sector and stall job growth.
The tax incentives, which have supported solar, wind, hydrogen, and electric vehicle initiatives, have played a key role in building Ohio’s clean energy economy. According to business advocates, nearly 15,000 jobs have been created in the state, contributing to $10.6 billion in local investments since the credits were introduced.
“I think every area of the state will be impacted,” said Tony Long of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce. “Everything could be impacted, including what companies are doing to hold down the costs of energy. Since President Trump’s first term, he’s been trying to get manufacturing back in the United States, and this could have a devastating impact.”
Federal Rollbacks Threaten Clean Energy Growth
A revised House plan would phase out many of these credits, including those supporting residential and commercial solar projects, electric vehicles, and green hydrogen production. Industry leaders say this could threaten Ohio’s momentum in clean energy and job creation.
IlluminateUSA, a solar panel manufacturer based in Pataskala, is one of the companies sounding the alarm.
The company employs over 1,600 people, and executives say those positions could be in jeopardy if the tax incentives are removed. “We’re a state of innovators,” Long added. “And if we are going to keep our young professionals here after they graduate, we have to keep the momentum going that Sen. Husted started when he was lieutenant governor with things like the innovation hubs. We shouldn’t be shortsighted in taking that tool away.”
Voter Sentiment and Political Pressure Build
Senator Jon Husted, a longtime advocate of clean energy and innovation, recently said the federal government cannot “completely pull the rug” out from under businesses that have already made significant clean energy investments.
Backing this position is a new Meeting Street Insights poll, which found that 75% of Ohio voters support preserving the tax credits. More than half of those surveyed said ending the credits could have political consequences and a negative impact on Ohio’s economy.
