Communities throughout the Southeast are benefitting from clean energy policies that clean our kids' air, lower our power bills, and create good-paying jobs. But these policies are at risk.

In just the past two years, businesses have announced and advanced 751 new clean energy projects, totaling 406,007 new jobs, and over $422 billion in private investment across the nation, with the Southeast emerging as a leading clean energy hub. And yet even as communities throughout the Southeast benefit from clean energy policies like clean energy tax credits, home energy rebate programs, and funding for expanded EV charging and electric school buses, some members of Congress are calling for their elimination. Meet just a handful of the states and Southeasterners currently benefiting from these at-risk clean energy policies.

Florida

According to Climate Power, the Inflation Reduction Act alone has brought a whopping $603 million in investments to the Sunshine State. These investments in clean energy have spurred at least 2,460 announced good-paying jobs for Floridians. Notably, 1,700 of these jobs will be in disadvantaged communities. 750, or 44%, will be in Republican districts. And that’s not all. In tax year 2023, more than 306,000 Florida households, including low-income households, lowered their utility bills and made their homes healthier by using federal tax credits to make clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades.

Kent Wimmer

“With the federal tax credit of $2,000, I did the math and I figured a heat pump water heater would eventually pay for itself.” Tired of being held hostage by the fossil fuel industry and rising gas prices, Tallahassee resident Kent Wimmer embarked on a journey to reduce his Florida home’s dependency on gas—by using federal tax credits to install a heat pump water heater and heat pump clothes dryer. These energy efficient upgrades, combined with his backyard solar panels, means that Kent hasn’t paid an electric bill since 2020. Learn more about how federal tax credits have helped Kent slash his energy costs.

Dixie District Schools

Dixie County is proving that protecting student health doesn’t have to be political. Thanks to the under-threat EPA Clean School Bus Program, the conservative Florida county recently debuted its fleet of 23 new school buses — all of them electric. For school officials, the biggest motivator wasn’t reducing emissions — it was increasing comfort. Unlike their outdated diesel predecessors, the district’s new electric buses have air conditioning. This not only keeps the drivers and students cooler but allows them to keep the windows up, dodging the dust that typically floods through. Learn more about how the EPA Clean School Bus Program helped Dixie County clean up their rides.

Georgia

The Inflation Reduction Act alone has brought a whopping $31.2 billion in investments to the Peach State. These investments in clean energy have spurred at least 43,266 announced good-paying jobs for Georgias. Notably, 18,356 of these jobs will be in disadvantaged communities. 32,039, or 74%, will be in Republican districts. And that’s not all. In tax year 2023, more than 82,000 Georgia households, including low-income households, lowered their utility bills and made their homes healthier by using federal tax credits to make clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades.

Olivia Amyette

“If it wasn’t for the Inflation Reduction Act, we wouldn’t be doing this training program at all. The demand for solar wouldn’t be there.” With a workforce that is currently 69% male and 73% white, the solar industry isn’t known for its diversity. By creating Georgia’s first and only registered solar apprenticeship program, Georgia entrepreneur Olivia Amyette is creating the diverse solar workforce of her dreams. But, Olivia says, it’s largely thanks to federal tax credits that have made solar panels more accessible for those who previously couldn’t afford them. Learn more about how federal tax credits have helped Olivia diversify the solar industry.

Sara Vinson

“I knew I wanted to do all I could for my environment, so the initial motivation was reducing our family’s carbon footprint, but it’s been great to see the savings an EV can bring.” Tired of oil changes and maintenance costs, Georgia resident Sara Vinson began the switch from gas cars to electric vehicles in 2019. Most recently, thanks to the $7,500 federal EV tax credit, Sara’s family went from paying $68 every two weeks to fill her husband’s old gas-guzzling Chevy Silverado to only paying less than $1 per week to charge his new all-electric Ford Lightning. Learn more about how federal tax credits have helped Sara save on maintenance and fuel costs.

North Carolina

The Inflation Reduction Act alone has brought a whopping $20.4 billion in investments to the Tar Heel State. These investments in clean energy have spurred at least 17,148 announced good-paying jobs for North Carolinians. Notably, 8,448 of these jobs will be in disadvantaged communities. 11,936, or 69%, will be in Republican districts. And that’s not all. In tax year 2023, thousands of North Carolina households, including low-income households, lowered their utility bills and made their homes healthier by using federal tax credits to make clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades.

Michael Murdoch

“I’m grateful for tax incentives that support low and middle income families and individuals. I would not have been able to do it without these funds. ” Ocean Natural Farm grows organic vegetables, fruit, and flowers off the North Carolina coast. Not only does farmer Michael Murdoch rely on the sun to grow his produce, he also relies on the sun to power everything else on his 100% off-the-grid barn and camper. The solar system on his camper, which includes six solar panels and a battery, cost Michael roughly $4.000 However, he’ll recoup $1,200 of that thanks to federal tax credits. Learn more about how federal tax credits have helped Michael create a “backup home.”

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

“Federal funding has really been key.” Two years after receiving North Carolina’s first electric school bus, the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) continues to lead North Carolina in clean school bus efforts. Thanks to the under-threat EPA Clean School Bus Program, the Tribe is taking their school bus fleet 100% electric. In addition to eliminating pollution and providing a healthier ride, the transition has cut upkeep costs. Whereas the old diesel buses were costing the tribe roughly $800 a month, the new electric buses are costing them only $400 a year. Learn more about how the EPA Clean School Bus Program has helped the EBCI electrify up their fleet.

South Carolina

The Inflation Reduction Act alone has brought a whopping $15.3 billion in investments to the Palmetto State. These investments in clean energy have spurred at least 21,786 announced good-paying jobs for South Carolinians. Notably, 14,466 of these jobs will be in disadvantaged communities. 18,399, or 84%, will be in Republican districts. And that’s not all. In tax year 2023, thousands of South Carolina households, including low-income households, lowered their utility bills and made their homes healthier by using federal tax credits to make clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades.

Solar United National

“We want to show them that the model for South Carolina really is working for us.” In Charleston, renewable energy developer Solar United National provides underprivileged communities with solar industry skills, economic opportunities, and disaster resiliency hubs tailored to the needs of the communities they serve. Early support came from two HeroX prizes, awarded in 2023 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Learn more about how federal funding has helped Solar United National build a more equitable energy future.

Howle Farms

South Carolina’s Howle Farms received $154,590 through the Inflation Reduction Act’s Rural Energy for America Program to build a rooftop solar array — expected to yield $7,925 in annual energy savings and generate enough electricity to power six homes. Howle Farms was just one of several South Carolina farms during its funding round to win more than $634,000 in federal funding for clean energy initiatives. Learn more about how federal funding has helped Howle Farms go solar without breaking the bank.

Tennessee

The Inflation Reduction Act alone has brought a whopping $5.9 billion in investments to the Volunteer State. These investments in clean energy have spurred at least 7,527 announced good-paying jobs for Tennesseans. Notably, 5,018 of these jobs will be in disadvantaged communities. 7,398, or 98%, will be in Republican districts. And that’s not all. In tax year 2023, thousands of Tennessee households, including low-income households, lowered their utility bills and made their homes healthier by using federal tax credits to make clean energy and energy efficiency upgrades.

Maggie Shober

The Shobers woke up on Christmas Eve to a house that was 50 degrees. In 2022, the Tennessee residents faced a gas leak and rolling blackouts during Winter Storm Elliott, prompting their switch to a safer, more reliable heat pump—one that works efficiently down to -4°F. Such upgrades are only made accessible to many Tennessee families thanks federal tax credits, which are under threat. Learn more about how federal tax credits have helped families like Maggie stay warm during cold winter weather.

Waffle House

From waffles to watts. A Tennessee Waffle House is serving up some EV charging. The first new EV charging site in Tennessee funded through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program bucked the trend of co-locating public chargers with gas pumps or convenience stores.  Because NEVI rules call for charging stations along major corridors to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this charger (installed by Atlanta-based charging infrastructure firm EnviroSpark) is a rare one not located at a gas station or convenience store. Learn more about how federal funding has helped this Waffle House chart a new path.

Tell Congress: Protect Clean Energy Programs

Communities throughout the Southeast are benefitting from clean energy policies that clean our kids’ air, lower our power bills, and create good-paying jobs. Yet thanks to the influence of corporate polluters, some members of Congress are still calling for eliminating them. Message your members of Congress today, asking them to protect these programs.

Message Your Members of Congress Today