Protecting Arizona’s Clean Energy Future: Tucson Roundtable with Rep. Ciscomani
On Friday, May 30, 2025, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) participated in a clean energy roundtable and site visit in Tucson, Arizona, led by Representative Juan Ciscomani of Arizona’s 6th Congressional District and hosted by the United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Arizona (UCPSA) and organized by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
The event brought together key stakeholders from the Southern Arizona clean energy industry to discuss the threat posed by the House-passed federal budget bill, which proposes eliminating productive clean energy tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—particularly 48E, which supports utility-scale energy generation, and 25D, which applies to residential systems.
The rollback of 48E in particular would have devastating consequences for business investment, jobs, and Arizona’s energy future. With job losses looming and solar project pipelines hanging in the balance, the message was clear: this bill can’t stand as is.
During the roundtable, companies like Solar Gain, OMCO Solar, PanelClaw, and Freedom Forever shared firsthand accounts of how the proposed rollback would jeopardize jobs and investments in District 6 and beyond.
Thanks in large part to the IRA, clean energy has already created thousands of jobs and drawn billions of dollars in private capital across Arizona. Undoing these tax credits puts 9,400 Arizona jobs at risk by 2030. The urgency is real. I was proud to represent CICE, elevating the voice of Arizona’s business community in emphasizing the economic stakes of clean energy. See CICE’s statement on the proposed rollback of key clean energy tax credits 45Y, 48E, and 45X.
Rep. Ciscomani engaged with attendees, listening to stories of impact and commitment. The morning concluded with a tour of UCPSA’s solar-powered Workability facility, a local example of clean energy’s role in powering innovation and community support.
Ultimately, Rep. Ciscomani expressed his commitment to fixing the bill upon its return to the House. He also shared updates on pre-emptive efforts he is spearheading to get ahead of the changes and ensure that there are more votes for a viable solution to maintain the clean energy tax credit. Among his allies in this work, Rep. Ciscomani cited working with Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (VA-2) on reasonable changes that make sense.
As demand for electricity in Arizona grows, with data centers, AI, and population surges, solar energy must be part of an “all-of-the-above” strategy for economic stability and American energy leadership. The next few weeks are critical as this bill makes its way through the Senate. We need all hands on deck to protect Arizona jobs, affordability, and energy resilience.
Let’s keep the momentum going.