Amherst, N.Y. (WBEN) - U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer was in Western New York on Monday to bring awareness to the potential threat of President Donald Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill" on clean energy manufacturing, energy costs, and jobs to the region.
Schumer stood alongside members of Solar Liberty, one of the largest solar installers in Western New York, to discuss how the cutting of Energy Efficient Home Improvement and Residential Clean Energy tax credits would slow business and make clean energy installation unattainable for working class families.
"So this so called 'Big, Beautiful Bill' is a 'Big, Bad Blow" to Buffalo and Western New York when it comes to energy," said Sen. Schumer on Monday. "What does it mean? Big job losses, big energy price hikes. That's because at the heart of this bill is eliminating the credits for clean energy that Buffalo families, thousands-and-thousands of Western New York families have used. And Solar Liberty has said this bill is existential to their business."
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Solar Liberty President Adam Rizzo says if the House bill moves forward as written, key groups, homeowners, nonprofits and small businesses would lose access to this critical support.
"We urge the Senate to act. Level the playing field, let clean energy keep competing and growing. The stakes couldn't be higher," said Rizzo. "Our economy is increasingly powered by AI data centers and technology that demands more energy than ever. Solar is the fastest and cleanest path to meeting that demand. We are fighting for more than a credit. We are fighting for our workers, for our customers and our communities, and the future we're leaving to our children."
With the GOP's new bill, manufacturing of clean energy is at risk for being destroyed in the Untied States. Without programs or incentives for consumers to install clean energy products, over 20,000 jobs in Western New York alone would be cut. Schumer says this could potentially lead to overseas competitors gaining full access to clean energy manufacturing.
"You cut off the tax break for batteries. Guess where it's going to go? China," he said. "China is going to run the whole show by undercutting us if we don't do this. Why would we want to take one of the quickest, fastest growing new industries, the energy industry, and let China run the show?"
With a possibility of major job loss, an increase of energy costs, and the loss of clean energy manufacturing, Sen. Schumer stated members of the House are already fighting this bill, to keep these tax credits clean energy manufacturing relies on. Cuts to these governmental programs hurt all clean energy installments and impact not just the people but the environment.
Executive Director of the Clean Air Coalition of Western New York, Chris Murawski, knows the negative health implications fossil fuels have on the people of Western New York, and how access to affordable clean energy has bettered the community in multiple ways.
"Clean Air members are working class people who have suffered the brunt of pollution from the burning of gas and coal for energy. Clean energy tax credits can lower our energy bills, reduce pollution protecting our health, and provide family- sustaining jobs. The House bill is a bad deal for the working class," said Murawski.
The threats to the environment, alongside the working class and local businesses, that cutting these tax credits poses would result in numerous losses for Western and the entire of New York State. Sen. Schumer urges people to call their local Congressmen, tell family and friends, and support to keep tax credits available for clean energy manufacturing and installment.