FILE - In this July 28, 2015, file photo, electricians, Adam Hall, right, and Steven Gabert install solar panels on a roof for Arizona Public Service company in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)
Donald Trump campaigned on promises to slash energy prices, but experts say his tax bill will do the opposite for millions of everyday Americans.
Trump signed his “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” into law on July 4. It’s nice for billionaires who want tax cuts—but research shows that it’s pretty ugly for the future of energy production.
The new law will get rid of tax credits for solar panels, wind turbines, and other green technology. Ending those tax credits will make them more expensive to produce, and increase demand for energy from fossil fuels.
Increased demand means increased prices for consumers.
Arizona is one of the states with the most sunshine per year, and gets roughly 14% of all its electricity from solar energy, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). The state also saw its largest growth in solar installations in 2023 and 2024.
The SEIA said electricity prices through solar energy have dropped 42% over the last 10 years, and there are enough solar panels installed in Arizona to power over 1.4 million homes. There are also nearly 10,000 solar jobs that are now at risk due to Trump’s law, reversing the progress that utilized a resource Arizona has in abundance.
Electricity prices will increase by almost 20% within just five years, and 61% by 2035, according to research from Energy Innovation, a climate policy think tank.
Both of Arizona’s senators, Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, voted against the bill, but it passed in the Senate, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a 50-50 tie to push it over the top.
Want Arizona news in your inbox each morning? Sign up for our free newsletter.
Author
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Arizonans and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at The Copper Courier has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Arizona families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport sees flight reductions amid government shutdown
As the record-breaking government shutdown continues to disrupt American life, airports, airlines and travelers are waiting to see how flight...
Commission candidates, Arizonans upset over state’s increasing utility rates
PHOENIX — Anna Cicero, a retired educator who lives in Chandler with her daughter and grandson, held her utility bill up while speaking behind a...
Arizona’s electric vehicles will soon lose access to HOV lanes. Here’s why
If you're used to cruising solo in the HOV lane during rush hour because of your electric vehicle, that could soon cost you at least $400. Lone...
White House scraps water expert’s nomination as states hash out Colorado River plan
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A veteran water expert from Arizona says the Trump administration withdrew his nomination to lead the federal agency that...
