The US Clean Energy Incentive Landscape
Federal support of clean energy and related technologies — from solar and wind to batteries and more efficient manufacturing — has helped to create jobs, expand manufacturing, and grow the US economy for decades. For consumers, businesses and the government, as well as non-profit organizations such as RMI that assist them, the public investment has cut costs and waste, reduced harmful pollution, and stimulated investment. And while these benefits have supported people, businesses, and communities on both sides of the political aisle, they now face uncertainty in Washington.
The following resources document federal policy and benefits supporting clean energy investment and related technology innovation, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the CHIPS and Science Act, and related bills. This page will be updated as needed.
The Opportunity: Recent Federal Investment
As passed in 2022, the IRA marked the largest-ever investment in US clean energy, technology, and related manufacturing. The package aims to modernize transportation, building, heavy industry, energy, and other strategic sectors. It also invests in developing domestic supply chains. Rules are set to ensure that benefits flow widely to Americans across the country. Low-income groups, and those that have experienced disproportionate harmful pollution, are a top priority.
While these benefits have begun to be realized as of mid 2025, progress is in limbo while Congress and the Administration determine which grants and tax credits remain. Here, we’ve highlighted opportunities in the IRA to show the scale of potential benefits if the IRA continues.
The Results: Successes & Benefits
States, cities, businesses, and other stakeholders have accessed public clean energy funding, often contributing additional local private and public funds, and are building new projects across the country. A growing roster of these efforts have begun to deliver significant benefits to communities nationwide.
To document this progress, below we have curated case studies and examples of successful IRA implementations. These benefits could be jeopardized if federal incentives or policies are cancelled or significantly rolled back.
The Key: Resources & Tools
The following resources and tools can help US states and cities, along with companies, economic development organizations, and policymakers discover incentives, model policies, and identify the best places to build or attract various kinds of clean energy projects, often with the help of federal policies.
Implementation: Effective State Action & Policies
Smart implementation of any public support will continue to be critical to maximize benefits to the economy, jobs, health, and the climate. States as well as cities, businesses, and nonprofits are emerging as leaders in support of modernizing America’s industrial and energy sectors.
Below we've compiled information and guidance that states can access to implement clean energy and deliver varied benefits to their constituents. This will be updated as terms evolve.
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Electricity
The State of Utility Planning, 2025 Q1
A review of all integrated resource plans for electric utilities across the United States to evaluate progress toward a zero-carbon energy future.
Buildings
Reforming Residential Energy Efficiency Incentive Programs: Best Practices and Legislative Options
Best practices for creating energy efficiency programs that are simple, durable, equitable, and tailored to the local market, with a focus on heat pumps.
Buildings
Reforming Energy Efficiency Programs to Increase Heat Pump Adoption
Best practices for creating energy efficiency programs that are simple, durable, equitable, and tailored to the local market, with a focus on heat pumps.
Buildings
Heat Pumps Reduce Smog in Southern California. Available Incentives Mean They Can Also Cost Less Than Gas Equipment.
Southern California residents can save money by switching to a heat pump – even without current federal incentives.
Electricity
The State of Utility Planning, 2024 Q4
A review of all integrated resource plans for electric utilities across the United States to evaluate progress toward a zero-carbon energy future.
US Policy
Locally Powered, Federally Funded
How your neighborhood hospitals, universities, and nonprofits are accelerating the clean energy transition with federal dollars.
US Policy
IRA Regulatory Toolkit
A library of resources to support stakeholder decisions as they apply IRA opportunities in regulatory proceedings.
US Policy
State Online Clean Energy Incentive Toolkit
States can play a key role in advocating for these federal incentives to help constituents in your state save money. This toolkit creates a guide for states to create an online clean energy incentive hub…
Electricity
Quality Metrics Can Help Deliver Community Benefits
Essential considerations and best practices every organization needs to consider when crafting effective community benefit plans.