In a united front, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly, alongside Governor Katie Hobbs and other state officials, made a call to Congress to push back against a move by House Republicans and the Trump administration that could undermine the state's burgeoning energy and manufacturing industries. They've spotlighted that the potential rolling back of federal tax credits, birthed from the Inflation Reduction Act, might put Arizona's recent economic gains at risk. These incentives have been pivotal in the state's success in attracting business investments and creating jobs within the renewable energy sector.
Stressing the importance of bipartisan effort, Kelly emphasized that Arizona's status as a business hub is due to a collaborative approach over the years. According to a press release by his office, Kelly said, "Because of this we've benefitted more than other states from the Inflation Reduction Act’s renewable energy tax credits." He pointed out that the Republican plan to snip these programs could potentially increase energy prices and lead to thousands of job losses. Senator Gallego also echoed the urgency, stating in the same press release, "This isn’t just a tax plan—it’s a direct assault on Arizonans who simply want to get ahead and provide for their families."
The implications of repealing these tax credits are considerable, with projections hinting at an 11.4% hike in annual electricity bills for households by 2029, as mentioned by the Clean Energy Buyers Association. Rep. Ansari, in a statement disseminated by her office, branded the Trump administration's strategy as chaos, insisting that further cuts would jeopardize Arizona's economy and represent "bad policy."
On the business front, the stance is clear: keeping these tax credits intact is crucial. Danny Seiden, President and CEO of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry, highlighted the importance of targeted tax credits in sustaining Arizona's manufacturing momentum. Furthermore, Richard Ra, President of LG Energy Solution Arizona, told Senator Kelly's office, "We are investing billions of dollars in Queen Creek and look forward to creating high quality jobs in Arizona as we bring our advanced manufacturing expertise and experience to the United States."
Meanwhile, Governor Hobbs is backing strategies that seem to advance the Arizona Promise by creating opportunities for the working class and fostering economic growth. Her office released figures showing Arizona's economy has attracted 134 projects, representing more than 69,000 jobs and $58 billion in investments, all of which stand to be affected by the repeal of federal tax credits. Added to these voices, Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority, noted the jeopardy faced by projects in their pipeline should these financial programs be phased out or eliminated.
Maren Mahoney, Director of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency, insisted, "Without these federal investments in clean energy technology, Arizona families stand to lose out on good-paying jobs in manufacturing and construction, and risk even higher energy bills." This sentiment is shared by Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council and SciTech Institute, who argued that cutting back on the energy tax incentives would undermine the investments and innovation within Arizona's high-tech economic landscape.
