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For years, renewable advocates insisted wind and solar were nearing cost parity with fossil fuels—yet today, those same lobbyists warn that eliminating tax credits would cause an industry-wide collapse. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer recently claimed that cutting subsidies would "turn America’s clean energy boom into a bust." But was there ever a real boom? Data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration reveals that nine of the top 10 states with the highest electricity prices have strict renewable mandates, while the most affordable states rely on natural gas, coal, and nuclear power.
The "cheap" renewable narrative hinges on ignoring hidden costs. Wind and solar require backup power—often natural gas or coal plants—when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Utility companies pass these expenses to ratepayers, who unknowingly pay twice: once for unreliable renewables, and again for the fossil fuel backups that keep their lights on. Meanwhile, taxpayers funnel billions into renewable tax credits, distorting the market and preventing truly competitive solutions from emerging.
Solar and wind power are often marketed as "green" alternatives, but the truth is far messier. Nearly 70% of solar panels and wind turbines are manufactured in China, where coal plants fuel production, creating massive carbon footprints. Offshore wind farms disrupt marine ecosystems, while sprawling solar installations devour farmland, threatening food security. Even the disposal of outdated solar panels and turbine blades poses a toxic waste crisis, as they contain hazardous materials that leach into soil and water.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration’s Green New Deal-inspired policies push for rapid energy transitions, ignoring the technological and economic realities that keep fossil fuels essential for grid stability. Germany’s failed Energiewende— representing a costly shift to renewables—demonstrates the peril of abandoning reliable energy too soon, leaving consumers with soaring bills and supply shortages.
The House and Senate diverge on tactics, but both chambers acknowledge the need to end the era of unchecked subsidies. The House just cut subsidies to renewables in the Big Beautiful Bill. Stripping subsidies allows for genuine competition, spurring innovation beyond politically favored technologies. As economist Diana Furchtgott-Roth noted, "The vitriolic reaction to cutting tax credits exposes how unsustainable renewables truly are." Without endless taxpayer bailouts, the renewable industry’s house of cards may finally collapse. This is a necessary step, if America is going to reclaim its sovereignty and energy independence, unleashing ingenuity to bring about an abundance in energy and affordable electricity prices for all.
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