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Robert Cekuta, a resident of Jefferson, is a former senior U.S. diplomat, focusing on U.S. energy security.
Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and slashing federal investments in clean energy would threaten jobs and economic growth in Maine. Right now, Congress is considering ending these programs. But these cuts would undermine energy affordability, reliability, and resilience across the state — likely raising energy costs and stalling grid upgrades, while clearing the field for Chinese and other foreign competitors.
In the long run, ending these programs will not just affect Maine, but threaten the economic dynamism and competitiveness of the United States as a whole. We need to invest in these 21st century industries, not undercut them.
The key point: Congress is looking at scrapping programs that benefit Mainers to fund tax cuts disproportionately benefitting the wealthiest Americans. You’d be forgiven for tuning out amid all the talk of “one big, beautiful bill” or “budget reconciliation” coming from Washington. However, the realities behind this DC jargon will affect us here in Maine, and proposals to withdraw support for energy innovation and infrastructure are a prime example.
Maine’s clean energy sector is the fastest growing in New England, growing faster than the state’s overall economy. Growth in new energy technologies means jobs. Maine’s clean energy workforce grew 3.6 percent from 2022 to 2023, much more than double the 1.7 percent gain in employment for the state as a whole. In addition, reportedly 2,000 businesses, about 4.3 percent of the total number of enterprises in Maine, are part of the clean energy value chain. The growing clean energy economy added about $3 billion to Maine’s overall economy in 2023. Over the next decade, investments in clean energy are expected to add $6 billion to Maine’s economy and create 39,000 jobs across the transport, power, manufacturing, and construction sectors.
National programs help make this growth happen. Maine received nearly $800 million in infrastructure investment through the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This money includes over $350 million for cutting-edge electricity storage systems and new technologies to enhance grid stability and boost energy efficiency. The gains are real. Stronger power systems lower costs and enhance our energy security; they also help every business in Maine drive growth and opportunity.
From my decades as a U.S. diplomat helping American companies, farmers, and ranchers compete and profit in foreign markets, I know there is another reason we need Congress to sustain the Inflation Reduction Act and other programs driving growth in new energy technologies: China and others are aggressively pursuing an edge in these fields. From electric vehicles, solar and other renewables to batteries and other innovative technologies, we are entering a new age of clean energy competition. If America cuts back now, it surrenders the field and the geoeconomic advantage to China.
Realism demands recognizing what is happening in the world and acting to advance our interests. With the world-wide demand for new energy technologies surging — whether in producing electric vehicles, better battery technology, or other R&D — reversing or abandoning IRA credits and other investments in American clean energy leadership will undermine local growth and national security. As Mainers, we need to demand that our elected officials not toss these benefits aside.