Shockwaves for Virginia: The One Big Beautiful Bill Puts $18 Billion in Clean Energy Projects and 21,000 Jobs on the Line
Trump’s proposed rollback of clean energy tax credits could derail billions in Virginia investments and kill thousands of green jobs.
- $18.2B in clean energy investments at risk in Virginia
- 21,642 jobs announced because of IRA incentives
- 70+ projects affected in Republican-held districts
- 5.4% predicted rise in electricity costs if credits are cut
Virginia’s clean energy boom now faces its biggest threat yet. President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill”—championed by House Republicans and now in the Senate—could strip away key tax credits that have powered Virginia’s rapid transformation into a green energy powerhouse.
Billions of dollars in clean energy investments and jobs are at risk, while energy demand is surging from the dominance of data centers and the electrification of nearly everything. The state’s future as an East Coast hub for offshore wind manufacturing and battery storage projects could hang in the balance.
Q: What Does Trump’s Budget Bill Mean for Virginia’s Green Energy Sector?
If passed as written, the bill would slash major tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—Biden’s hallmark law to spur clean energy projects nationwide. According to sources like the Clean Investment Monitor, almost 70 projects worth $18.2 billion and nearly 11,000 jobs in Republican-held Virginia districts leveraged those tax credits. Altogether, over 21,000 Virginia jobs have been tied directly to IRA incentives.
If the bill becomes law, projects would have just 60 days to break ground and must generate power by 2028 to keep credits. “Ready-to-go” projects—mostly solar, wind, or battery—are squarely in the crosshairs.
How Would This Impact Virginia Families?
Analysts from the Clean Energy Buyers Association estimate that yanking these tax credits would hike residential electricity bills by 5.4%. Virginia households—already feeling the squeeze from inflation and higher energy usage by sprawling data centers—could pay the price.
On top of higher costs, the rapid loss of incentives could stall projects like Dominion Energy’s Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, the largest such plan in the nation. New manufacturing investments, like the $680 million LS GreenLink subsea cable plant, could vanish altogether.
Q: Are All Virginia Lawmakers United on the Issue?
Far from it. Some Republicans, like Rep. Jen Kiggans (Norfolk), have expressed deep concern about the impact of gutting IRA credits even as they voted for Trump’s bill. Kiggans and others warned that these tax breaks keep electricity affordable, fuel job growth, and power military operations.
Others, including Rep. Ben Cline, supported the bill, arguing that the IRA promotes dependency on foreign energy components. Rep. Rob Wittman says he champions clean energy, but still voted to cut incentives.
Meanwhile, Virginia’s Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, insist the IRA is crucial for job creation and lowering energy costs.
How Will the Senate and Beyond Shape the Final Law?
The Republican-led Senate is weighing major rewrites. With both criticism and support crossing party lines, the fate of Virginia’s energy future may hinge on last-minute negotiations and bipartisan compromise.
Nationwide, the fight sends shockwaves across the clean energy sector—especially as global fossil fuel subsidies soared to $7 trillion in 2022 (over 7% of world GDP), according to the International Monetary Fund.
Can Virginia’s Clean Energy Goals Survive?
Experts stress all is not lost—even without the IRA, state policies like the Virginia Clean Economy Act are driving the transition to zero-carbon electricity by 2050. The clean energy sector predated federal support and will adapt, but uncertainty shakes investor confidence and risks slowing urgently needed progress.
As Harry Godfrey of Advanced Energy United pointed out, rolling back tax credits means higher costs for everyone—giving fossil fuels the edge just as advanced energy sources are more needed than ever for the grid.
Take Action: The Future of Energy Is in Your Hands!
- Stay informed—follow updates via Inside Climate News and U.S. Department of Energy.
- Contact your representatives to voice your support for clean energy incentives.
- Monitor your utility bills for changes.
- Explore home energy efficiency upgrades—every kilowatt counts.
- Share this news to raise awareness with friends and neighbors.
Checklist for Virginia Energy Advocates:
- ✔️ Track the Senate’s decision on the “One Big Beautiful Bill”
- ✔️ Stay engaged with advocacy groups
- ✔️ Protect clean energy job growth and affordable power
- ✔️ Demand accountability from your lawmakers
Virginia’s energy destiny is at a crossroads. Your voice, and your vote, could tip the scales.
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