As the Republican Party prepares to take full control in Washington, President Joe Biden's landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has become a target for potential repeal. However, it's not just Democrats who are gearing up to defend the IRA's clean energy policies – a growing number of Republicans are also vowing to protect the law's provisions, particularly those that have brought significant economic benefits to their districts.

Bipartisan Support for Clean Energy Investments

The IRA's Impact on Republican Districts

The Inflation Reduction Act has had a profound impact on the American economy in its first two years, with a significant portion of the $243 billion worth of completed or ongoing clean energy projects located in Republican districts. According to an exclusive CNN analysis of data from the Rhodium Group and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, close to 80% of these projects are situated in GOP-held districts. Additionally, another $435 billion in clean energy projects that have been announced but not yet built are also predominantly located in Republican-leaning areas.This influx of clean energy investments has been a boon for many rural and manufacturing communities, creating thousands of new jobs and driving economic growth. As a result, some Republican lawmakers are now finding themselves in the unexpected position of defending the very policies they once opposed, recognizing the tangible benefits their constituents have reaped from the IRA.

Republican Lawmakers Speak Out

Representative Buddy Carter of Georgia, a Republican, has been vocal in his support for preserving the "good parts" of the Inflation Reduction Act, acknowledging that while there are aspects of the law that warrant scrutiny, the clean energy investments have been a significant boon for his district. Carter's district is home to a massive Hyundai electric vehicle and battery production plant, which was funded by the IRA and is now operational, creating over 8,000 jobs.Similarly, the district of North Carolina Representative Richard Hudson, the head of the House Republicans' campaign committee, has seen even more investment, thanks to a colossal Toyota car battery plant being built there. The Rhodium and MIT data shows that Toyota has already invested over $8.2 billion in the factory and has pledged an additional $5.7 billion to triple its size.These Republican lawmakers, along with 18 of their colleagues, have signed a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, urging him not to repeal the climate law, citing concerns from industry and constituents who fear the "energy tax regime will once again be turned on its head due to Republican repeal efforts."

The Delicate Balance of Repeal Efforts

While President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to repeal the clean energy tax subsidies, the reality on the ground presents a more nuanced picture. With a slim Republican majority in the House, the party will need to carefully navigate the political landscape to avoid alienating their own constituents who have benefited from the IRA's provisions.As Trevor Houser, a partner at the Rhodium Group, points out, "If that investment was to dry up, it would significantly impact the economic prospects particularly of the rural and manufacturing communities where most of that investment has been flowing." This sentiment is echoed by Republican lawmakers like Carter, who recognize the importance of preserving the clean energy funds to maintain the economic momentum in their districts.The battle lines are being drawn, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the future of clean energy in the United States. As the Republican Party grapples with the political realities of their own districts, the fate of Biden's landmark climate law hangs in the balance, with both parties vying to shape the energy landscape for years to come.