Illustration: Natalie Peeples / Axios
Renewable energy lobbyists flooded the Hill to defend the IRA's tax credits in the weeks preceding the reconciliation bill's passage into law, second-quarter disclosures show.
Why it matters: Big spending by trade groups and companies to save what they like — or press for carveouts — led to Republicans rolling back credits for wind and solar while securing longer phaseouts for nuclear and geothermal.
Stunning stat: The American Clean Power Association spent $3.8 million, its highest quarterly total since at least 1999 and more than seven times the $510,000 it spent in Q1, to try to save tax credits for wind and solar.
- The Solar Energy Industries Association similarly reported its biggest quarterly lobbying spend since at least 1999 — $950,000, up from $710,000 in Q1 — as it hosted fly-ins and rallies outside the Capitol to try to save solar tax credits.
- ACP also pressed for more offshore wind leasing, renewable development on federal lands and the RISEE Act, which would split offshore wind revenue with coastal communities and which has some GOP support.
The American Petroleum Institute's issues included 45Q carbon capture credit, the 45V hydrogen credit and 45Z clean fuels credits. It spent $2.1 million in Q2, up from $1.9 million in Q1.
Between the lines: The disclosures also showed that lobbyists were laying the groundwork for the next big priority — a permitting overhaul.
- Chevron USA talked up permitting of oil and gas and carbon capture projects. It spent $2.1 million in Q2, up from $1.9 million in Q1.
- Ørsted North America discussed the permitting bill that Senate Energy and Natural Resources passed last summer. It's considered a possible starting point for negotiations. It spent $480,000 in Q2, well above Q1's $300,000.
- ACP also talked up permitting, and CEO Jason Grumet told Axios he hopes Congress can move beyond a "polarizing" reconciliation fight and revive permitting legislation.
A standard caveat with lobbying reports: Organizations aren't required to say what stance they're taking on a particular issue behind closed doors. Still, we know from public statements what many of them think.
Other notable spends from the first quarter:
- American Chemistry Council: $4.4 million in Q2, up from $4.2 million in Q1.
- Interstate Natural Gas Association of America: $405,000 in Q2, up from $371,000.
- Nuclear Energy Institute: $320,000 in Q2, down from $450,000 in Q1.
- Edison Electric Institute: $2 million in Q2, down from $3.1 million in Q1.
- ExxonMobil: $1.8 million in Q2, down from $2.8 million in Q1.
- Shell USA: $2 million in Q2, up from $1.4 million in Q1.
- Southern Company: $2.8 million in Q2, down from $3.1 million in Q1.
- NextEra Energy: $2.2 million in Q2, roughly matching its $2.1 million in Q1.
- Duke Energy: $2 million in Q2, down from $2.8 million in Q1.
- Constellation: $1.3 million in Q2, down from $1.6 million in Q1.
