This week in climate policy: 4 stories you should know about

Here are the major climate policy developments for the week of Aug. 12:

• Republicans rally behind the IRA: Eighteen House Republicans urged their leadership not to eliminate clean energy tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) if the GOP secures a majority next year. In a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, the GOP legislators expressed concerns that repealing the credits could undermine existing investments and waste taxpayer dollars. “Today, many U.S. companies are already using sector-wide energy tax credits — many of which have enjoyed bipartisan support historically — to make major investments in new U.S. energy infrastructure,” wrote the eighteen representatives, all of whom voted earlier to repeal clean-energy funding in the act. Red states including Georgia and North Carolina lead in IRA-related clean-tech manufacturing ventures, with a total of $16.9 billion and $15.4 billion in such projects, respectively. The letter reflects a broader debate within the party about how to handle climate and energy legislation if Republicans gain power.
• Wisconsin republicans attempt to block IRA funds: In Wisconsin, environmental and voter rights groups are urging voters to reject two proposed constitutional amendments in the upcoming August 13 primary that would shift the control of certain federal funds from the governor to the legislature. Proposed by Wisconsin’s Republican-controlled legislature, the amendments aim to counteract actions by Democratic Governor Tony Evers, who has used his authority to allocate federal funds. Critics, including environmental and Democratic groups, argue that the amendments could introduce delays in disaster relief funding and create uncertainties in federal fund allocation, like clean energy projects from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and other federal grants. Supporters, like Republican Representative Robert Wittke, believe the amendments would lead to better governance of federal funds.
• Georgia receives $1.4 billion solar grant from DOE: The Biden administration is focused on increasing domestic solar panel manufacturing as part of its broader energy strategy and solar panel manufacturer Qcells is directly benefitting. The Department of Energy announced a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $1.45 billion to Qcells to open a second new factory in Georgia to address gaps in the supply chain for silicon-based components. This facility is expected to create 1,950 jobs and produce 3.3 gigawatts of solar panels annually, sufficient to power half a million homes. By the end of the year, Qcells’ Georgia operations will have a combined production capacity of 8.4 gigawatts.
• Biden administration seeks to quash new coal development in North Dakota: The Biden administration proposed new restrictions on coal mining on federal lands in North Dakota, aiming to reduce available land for future coal leases by about 90 percent. While the plan is not expected to affect current coal production levels through 2040, it would prevent the development of new mines on federal land, which constitutes approximately 5 percent of the nation’s coal supply. The Bureau of Land Management’s Wendy Warren described the plan as a significant step in managing public land use and balancing energy development. North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer criticized the proposal, arguing that it hinders the state’s energy development and compromises economic and energy security. This move follows similar proposals earlier in the year to block new coal mines on public lands in Montana and Wyoming.