When the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law nearly three years ago, its sweeping investments in building a cleaner and healthier future for the country became the most significant investment of its kind in American history — the type of investment needed at the federal level to make serious progress on the climate crisis.
But now, less than a year into President Donald Trump’s second term, crucial programs meant to help uplift American communities around the country will soon be phased out.
Just one day before the Fourth of July, Congress passed Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” filled with major cuts to electric vehicle tax credits, incentives for clean energy projects, and programs built to help Americans save money on home energy costs through home efficiency upgrades, all in the name of extending massive tax cuts for the wealthiest people in America. That means programs and incentives which have helped uplift countless Wisconsin communities will be heavily reduced or shuttered to put more money in billionaires’ pockets.
The IRA is already making our state a more efficient, cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous place to live. Cutting the programs that make that progress possible will only make it more difficult for Wisconsinites to live the lives we all deserve.
We can’t afford to let that happen.
Part of the challenge is getting lawmakers to realize that these programs are helping improve their own constituents’ lives.
Clean Wisconsin Government Relations Director Erik Kanter says sharing stories about how these investments are transforming Wisconsinites’ businesses and communities for the better can help prolong efforts to keep investments in and protections for our environment in place.
“I wouldn’t assume that their congressperson is acutely aware of what is going on in the district and how various things are helping or harming constituents in their district,” Kanter says.
Money from the IRA has gone to solar installations at Wisconsin businesses; waterway restoration to reduce flood risks; and tree-planting to keep communities shady and filled with fresh air.
Here at Clean Wisconsin we’ve heard directly from many of you about how the IRA has helped you personally: tax credits to upgrade home appliances to more efficient versions, helping to cut monthly expenses; investments in local businesses reducing energy costs; restoration projects around the state keeping our natural resources clean for all.
That’s all proof these programs and the money that supports them are popular, despite Congress’ recently approved cuts.
“There is genuine curiosity about what is going on in the district. Being provided information, especially from constituents about what is going on, in my experience has always been welcomed,” Kanter says.
Visit cleanwisconsin.org/funds4WI to learn about the communities that have already benefited from these historic programs and how you can take advantage of them while they’re still around.
