News from Novi: 5 Headlines that Stood Out to Us last Week
Issue 8 – Week of June 23nd, 2025
Not a great weekend for renewables ….
1- Tug-of-war continues on energy tax credits
As the reconciliation bill moves into the final stretch, it is clear that the IRA tax credits for solar, wind, and EVs are in danger. A few Senate Republicans want to see the phase out occur in a way that doesn’t undermine the businesses that made investments in reliance of them while certain House members continue to push back against a controlled phase out in favor of rolling back the IRA tax credits ASAP.
NOVI TAKE: For a brief moment it looked as if some Senate Rs were going to hold the line on these tax credits – owing to the economic growth spurred by the incentives [see below], but last minute intervention from President Trump has pushed the wind and solar tax credits to the brink. If they end here, Trump will find it very difficult to keep his promise to lower utility bills, while the grid may become far more vulnerable.
The Business Council for Sustainable Energy and the Clean Energy Business Network have released factsheets cataloguing the energy projects driving economic growth in key states. You can find all of the fact sheets through the link.
NOVI TAKE: Many have assumed that the jobs at stake in the red Congressional districts will result in political support for the tax credits. The reconciliation debate is testing that assumption.
3- House GOP introducing bills to overhaul Clean Air Act
House Republican’s are introducing the “Clean Air and Building Infrastructure Improvement Act” that would lessen restrictions in the Clean Air Act, specifically limiting the use of the strengthened annual soot exposure standard for preconstruction permitting purposes. The bill has received praise from Brett Guthrie (R-KY), the Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who says the bill would “help ensure impossible standards don’t stand in the way of American innovation”.
NOVI TAKE: In the category of “but wait, there’s more”, legislative efforts will continue after reconciliation is over. Clean Air Act reform, however, would require a bipartisan package that can get through the Senate, which may be just too much of a lift.
4- The new lies spreading about climate change / Delay is the new denial.
Last week the International Panel on the Information Environment, declared a “strategic disruption – carefully designed to appear moderate, reasonable, and data-driven, while quietly obstructing action” is afoot. Efforts to weaken federal policies on climate coupled with a savvy disinformation strategy are predicted to lead to a delay in renewable energy projects and climate action. For example, this might come as inaccurate claims regarding the effect of renewable energy on the environment or falsely blaming power outages on renewables.
NOVI TAKE: “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” – John Adams.
5- Climate movement strikes back with first-of-its kind class action lawsuit against EPA
Environmental groups with terminated EPA grants are joining forces via a class action lawsuit to challenge the cancellation of the awarded funds. The class action participants all were awarded grants from the Environmental and Climate Justice Program to address climate issues in under privileged communities.
NOVI TAKE: Here’s how the legal system adapts to the Supreme Court’s decision that District Courts lack the reach to give nationwide rulings, but a class action still allows global relief. Bottom line: expect more class action lawsuits.