Lawmakers release data showing over 250 schools at risk of delayed projects and higher energy costs

Letter Text and Full Dataset (PDF)

Washington (June 27, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Environment and Public Works and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, today wrote to President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (LA-04), about the risk to K-12 funding from the Republican budget reconciliation proposal to eliminate federal tax credits that fund solar infrastructure projects in schools.

Projects supported by tax credits have saved communities tens of thousands of dollars annually—including Wayne County Schools in West Virginia, which is projected to save the equivalent of three full-time teacher salaries over the course of their careers. Any cuts could delay or disrupt ongoing solar projects, prevent schools and school districts from accessing a tool to save on energy costs, and waste state and school district investments.

In the letter, the lawmakers write, “By cutting federal clean energy incentives, the Republican budget reconciliation bill would interfere with K-12 school funding across the United States. Clean energy projects can reduce monthly energy costs, allowing schools to spend more on supporting students, faculty, and staff. With its draconian cuts to solar energy incentives, the Republican reconciliation bill promises to stall ongoing state and school district solar projects, disrupt their investments, and eliminate an essential cost-saving tool. We urge you to reconsider cuts to clean energy incentives that provide cost saving benefits to schools.”

The lawmakers continue, “More school districts are planning solar projects that will help lower energy costs and prevent state budget cuts from impacting students, educators, and staff. But the proposed cuts in the Republican reconciliation bill threaten the delay, disruption, or cancellation of solar deployments. There are at least 251 school solar projects in 26 states in various stages of planning and construction. Projects that are not able to commence construction before proposed repeals take effect risk delay, wasted local and state investments in project development, higher energy costs, and increased burden on taxpayers. Among the identified projects are 74 school solar installations in Pennsylvania, 53 in Arizona, 15 in Texas, 12 in Kentucky, 5 in Utah, 4 in Iowa and Wisconsin, 2 in Indiana, and 1 in Idaho, Florida, Kansas, North Carolina and West Virginia.”

Several stakeholders joined the lawmakers in voicing their opposition to the proposed cuts.

“Over the last decade, schools across the country have turned to solar to reduce the cost of operating their facilities. In rural communities like Lawrence, Kansas and Greene County, Iowa, solar is how communities are able to maintain services for students in the face of rising costs and small or shrinking tax bases. Repealing these credits is one of a multitude of attacks on our public schools and the young people they serve in the disastrous budget reconciliation bill,” said Jonathan Klein, Chief Executive Officer of UndauntedK12.

“Across the country, school districts have been saving taxpayers money by taking advantage of clean energy tax credits through direct pay. These projects have created jobs, reduced energy costs, and opened up opportunities for school building improvements out of reach for too long. Rolling back the clean energy tax credits would stop that progress in its tracks and increase costs to local communities. It is critical that these important initiatives remain available to our schools,” said Jason Walsh, Executive Director of BlueGreen Alliance.

“School districts across the country have been using clean energy tax credits to lower their energy costs and upgrade their facilities. Investments in things like cleaner running buses and new HVAC systems are reducing both indoor and outdoor air pollution, all while creating good paying jobs. We urge Republican leaders to abandon their efforts to end these tax credits,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.

“School districts across the country are attempting to move forward on sorely needed repairs and update their school buildings, and solar energy contributes important cost stability and resilience,” said Ally Talcott, Executive Director of the BASIC Coalition. “Our school leaders do not need whiplash amid the important work to finance improvements to our schools; they need support and stability. The cuts to solar energy incentives pull one more resource away from school districts trying to provide safe, modern, and healthy school buildings for their communities.”

“Clean energy incentives help schools provide safer and healthier learning environments, lower energy costs, save taxpayer dollars, and redirect resources from paying expensive utility bills to supporting student success. We urge lawmakers to preserve these federal programs for local communities,” said James Rowan, CAE, SFO, Chief Executive Director of the Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO).

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