The Biden administration is making strides in the clean energy sector with a new proposal to expand tax credits to cover a wider range of technologies, including nuclear fission and fusion. The Treasury Department announced the guidance for Clean Electricity Production Credits and Clean Electricity Investment Credits, which will be available in 2025 as the existing wind and solar credits sunset.
John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, hailed the new technology-neutral credits as a significant step in tackling the climate crisis and helping the U.S. achieve a net-zero emission power sector by 2035. The proposal includes eligibility for technologies such as marine and hydrokinetic energy, hydropower, geothermal, and waste energy recovery, in addition to nuclear fission and fusion.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, which has already driven over $850 billion in clean energy and manufacturing investment and led to record additions of renewable energy capacity. The new program aims to make a long-term commitment to the clean energy sector, ensuring the U.S. remains a major market for new clean power generation.
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the potential support for controversial energy sources, but the Biden administration is focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and driving clean energy innovation. The proposed tax credits could result in a significant reduction in emissions by 2035, marking a crucial step towards a more sustainable future.