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SEIA Action Checklist

Guest Writer

Written by Scott Greenier, SEIA

Time to Take Action: Defend American Energy Incentives Action Checklist

Two and a half years ago, Congress established long-term extensions for American clean energy tax credits, bolstering many energy sources and technologies, including solar and storage, and creating business certainty and stability. This has led to a wave of investments in solar deployments as well as manufacturing.

Now, however, we face the real threat of these tax credits being repealed. Many incoming members of Congress have indicated that they would like to repeal the solar, storage, and clean energy manufacturing credits, and with the upcoming tax bill planned in the House, they will have an opportunity to pursue that end. 

SEIA has been building coalitions and support in Washington to oppose repeal, but Congress also needs to hear from businesses directly, which is why we are asking companies to agree to take all of the actions below. We are here to help. Any questions at all contact Scott Greenler – sgreenler@seia.org 

Here’s what you can do to help protect the solar
& storage tax credits

1) Bring a group of trusted partners/employees/stakeholders to a meeting at the local office for your Member of Congress and Senators 

2) Write an op-ed for the local paper

      • An Oped is an opinion piece in a newspaper. They are frequently around 650-700 words. Individuals (usually either one or two) draft the Oped and submit it to a local or regional paper for consideration. 
      • If you are interested in doing this, SEIA can help you put it together. Please reach out to Jacob Weinberg – jweinberg@seia.org

3) Invite your member of Congress to a site visit

      • Have an upcoming ribbon cutting or groundbreaking? Invite your member of Congress.
      • Don’t have an upcoming event? Simply invite the Member of Congress to tour your office, project, or installation.

4) Send an email directly to your Member of Congress and Two Senators 

    • This is in addition to the group sign-on letter. This is an easy click-to-send. It is set up so you can customize the message to fit your voice.

5) Organize stakeholders in your community to send a letter

    • This would be a separate, additional letter in addition to the group sign on letter and email above
    • Think creatively on who could join such a letter:
        • Lots of customers
        • Non-solar local businesses who support solar
        • Suppliers to your business
        • Local business associations like Chambers of Commerce
        • Individuals
        • Local leaders in business, farming, small business, energy – anywhere solar & storage is helpful
        • Employees or other workers in industry
    • SEIA can help draft a letter on your behalf
    • If you are interested in doing this, SEIA can help. Please reach out to Scott Greenler – sgreenler@seia.org

6) Engage Local Elected Officials and Other Grasstops Validators

      • It is normal for other elected officials and other leaders to express their views on an issue to Members of Congress. 
      • Do you have relationships with local elected or government officials such as Mayors, County Commissioners, or economic development officers who would be willing to weigh in on this issue?
      • Do you have relationships with other influential individuals in your community, such as union leaders, chambers of commerce, or prominent business leadership who  would be willing to weigh in on this issue?
      • If so, please reach out to Stephanie Zawistowski – SZawistowski@seia.org She will help you strategize how to ensure those officials weigh in with Members of Congress to prevent repeal of energy tax credits

7) Get creative

    • Are there other ways you can reach out to your members of Congress? Think about your networks, your company’s strengths, and the communities you work in. Now is the time to make your voice heard on this critical issue. 

Resources

This checklist is republished content created by the SEIA to help spread awareness of current legislation. GAI Energy takes no credit in the creation of this checklist. Please join us in taking action today.