Ceres and participating companies advocated for the continued implementation and protection of clean energy tax incentives established under the Inflation Reduction Act, specifically the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (45X), the Clean Electricity Production Tax Credit (45Y), and the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit (48E). Outreach emphasized the importance of these credits in driving domestic manufacturing of clean energy technologies, expanding zero-emission electricity generation, and sustaining U.S. leadership in clean energy innovation. Engagement also supported associated bonus credits for projects in energy and low-income communities, highlighting their role in equitable deployment and economic revitalization. Ceres opposed efforts to repeal or weaken these provisions, citing independent analyses projecting major reductions in clean energy deployment and higher electricity prices if the credits are rescinded. Communications with congressional offices focused on the economic, reliability, and job-creation benefits of these policies, as well as the need for long-term policy certainty to maintain momentum in clean energy investment and infrastructure growth.
Ceres and its network of companies engaged with federal policymakers to support the implementation and retention of federal clean transportation tax credits established or revised under the Inflation Reduction Act, specifically the Consumer Clean Vehicle Credit (30D), Commercial Clean Vehicle Credit (45W), and Alternative Refueling Property Credit (30C). Advocacy focused on maintaining these credits effectiveness in lowering the cost of electric vehicles for middle-class consumers and businesses, while strengthening U.S.-based manufacturing and supply chains. Outreach emphasized the role of domestic content and income limitations under 30D in ensuring that the credit supports U.S. workers and avoids subsidizing luxury imports. Ceres also highlighted the role of 30C in driving investment in charging infrastructure, especially in rural and low-income communities. These incentives were presented as essential to lowering long-term fuel and maintenance costs for consumers, creating jobs, enhancing reliability, and maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the global auto sector. Policymakers were urged to preserve and build upon these provisions to secure long-term energy affordability and economic growth.
Ceres, in coordination with the Freedom to Invest coalition, engaged with congressional offices to discuss the importance of maintaining the integrity of the shareholder proposal process, proxy voting rights, and the role of proxy advisory services. These meetings included both Senate and House offices, with a particular focus on new congressional offices and members of the Senate Banking Committee in light of the Senate Banking Working Groups established in early 2025. Ceres emphasized support for a strong, transparent SEC and the need to protect shareholder rights amid growing political scrutiny and proposed anti-ESG legislation. Advocacy also addressed the implications of the pending confirmation of SEC Chair Adkins and anticipated future rulemaking or policy proposals that could affect investor rights and corporate governance practices.
Ceres and participating businesses engaged with congressional offices to support robust and long-term funding for key federal conservation programs in the 2025 Farm Bill, including the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Advocacy emphasized the role of these programs in improving soil health, water quality, and land resilience, while enhancing economic security and supply chain stability for U.S. agriculture. Ceres also supported continued funding from the Inflation Reduction Act through FY2031 or its incorporation into the Farm Bill baseline to provide certainty for farmers and drive sustained investment. Outreach highlighted how these programs support cost-effective, voluntary conservation practices that improve productivity and reduce long-term risk from climate variability, global market shifts, and rising input costs. Ceres further urged policymakers to address implementation challenges by streamlining program delivery and resolving staffing shortages at NRCS to ensure farmers and rural communities can fully access available resources.
Ceres and affiliated businesses advocated for the preservation, full implementation, and equitable expansion of numerous clean energy-related tax provisions established or enhanced under the Inflation Reduction Act and related federal statutes. These included the Advanced Manufacturing Production Tax Credit (45X), the Advanced Energy Project Credit (48C), the Carbon Sequestration Credit (45Q), the Clean Electricity Production (45Y) and Investment (48E) Tax Credits, the Residential Energy Efficiency Credit (25C), the Commercial Building Deduction (179D), and the Clean Vehicle Credits for consumers and businesses (30D, 45W), as well as the Alternative Refueling Property Credit (30C). Ceres also supported the direct pay mechanism enabling tax-exempt entities-including nonprofits, local governments, health care providers, and rural electric cooperatives-to access these tax credits directly, as well as efforts to ensure streamlined implementation and equitable access to these incentives across market sectors and communities. Additional advocacy covered support for clean industry and building efficiency credits that reduce emissions from domestic manufacturing and improve energy performance in residential and commercial buildings, including specific support for Energy Community and Low-Income Bonus Credits. Outreach emphasized the role of these tax incentives in catalyzing more than $100 billion in private investment, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs annually, lowering energy costs, and strengthening American competitiveness in key sectors like electric vehicles, batteries, advanced manufacturing, carbon capture, and AI-adjacent clean power growth. Ceres opposed any proposals to weaken, repeal, or limit these credits, citing credible third-party analyses showing such actions would reduce clean energy deployment by hundreds of gigawatts, raise electricity prices for consumers, and compromise economic growth in underinvested regions.
Ceres and participating businesses supported implementation and funding of federal green finance programs designed to expand access to clean energy and infrastructure financing in underserved markets. Advocacy focused on the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF), Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA), and Solar for All (SFA), which function as public-purpose financial institutions or green banks that leverage federal funding to attract private capital into low-income and rural communities. These programs were designed to de-risk investments, finance cost-saving clean energy and transportation projects, and promote economic development through community-based lending and partnerships with entities such as community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and credit unions. Ceres emphasized that these programs, when fully implemented, could leverage $7 in private investment for every federal dollar and catalyze over $150 billion in public-private investment, while expanding access to proven clean technologies and lowering energy costs for households and small businesses.
Ceres and supporting businesses advocated for full implementation and sustained funding of federal tax credits and grant programs that strengthen domestic clean energy manufacturing and industrial competitiveness. Key priorities included the Advanced Energy Project Credit (48C), the Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit (45X), and the Carbon Sequestration Credit (45Q), all of which support investment in facilities and technologies related to clean energy production, carbon capture and storage, critical minerals, and industrial efficiency. Ceres emphasized that these incentives are catalyzing tens of billions of dollars in private sector investment, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs annually, and revitalizing manufacturing in coal communities and other underinvested regions. Advocacy also supported Department of Energy grants through the Advanced Industrial Facilities Deployment Program to promote decarbonization of energy-intensive industries, and highlighted the manufacturing and installation jobs generated by energy efficiency and electrification rebate programs like HOMES and HEAR. Ceres urged policymakers to preserve these manufacturing incentives as core components of Americas clean energy leadership, job creation strategy, and global industrial competitiveness.