Dear Government: Don't kill the solar tax credit

Liam Madden, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, solar energy professional, and small business owner in Vermont, wrote this letter in response to a proposed policy changes that could abruptly eliminate or reduce federal solar tax credits. As someone deeply invested—personally and professionally—in the success of clean energy, Madden is concerned about the immediate and long-term consequences such a decision would have on his livelihood, his clients, and the broader community. 

With several solar projects in motion, a growing family, and a significant financial investment already made, he urges members of the House Ways and Means Committee to consider the real-world impact of their votes on small businesses, working families, and the future of American energy independence.

You can read Liam’s letter and his story below. If you want to advocate for keeping solar tax credits available, we’ve compiled a list of the most influential representatives you can reach out to here. 

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My name is Liam Madden. I am a U.S. Marine Corp Iraq War veteran. I won the Republican primary election for U.S. Representative in Vermont in 2022. I am a solar energy professional who both works for a local solar business and has begun his own fledgling solar business in Vermont.

I am a father of a 6-year-old, June, a 2-year-old, Winn, and I will soon be a father to a third son.

While not your constituent directly, as an American I know that your decisions on the House Ways and Means Committee have a profound ability to impact my life.

I have several pending solar energy projects with local Vermont farms, schools, businesses and homeowners that have taken nine months of sustained effort outside of my day job to line up for my upcoming season. At my day job, my employer, having strong faith in my ability to bring projects completion, has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own into the manpower and materials needed to complete our forthcoming season of projects.

An abrupt end to the solar tax credit would be economically devastating to me. My clients would lose important opportunities to save money by producing their own energy. My employer would be forced to take a major financial loss and lay off numerous employees.

Expecting a decent year of work and income, I invested almost all of my savings into solar material inventory and a significant home repair. Imagine my state of concern when I learned today that with a home that literally has no roof due to construction, and a baby on the way, that your committee will decide whether or not to cause irrepairable damage my industry and impair my ability to earn income and create value for my community and family. Put yourself in my shoes just for a moment.

Vote NO! It is not remotely pro-business to vote for any such measure unless it gives the businesses and consumers affected at least a year to adjust, plan and pivot, or to wind down their inventories and operations. An abrupt end to these tax credits would be reckless, irresponsible and short-sighted.

Abruptness aside, eliminating or radically reducing this incentive at all will severely harm energy independence and economic vitality for my customers, community and family. I urge your deepest care and consideration in your choices. Keep this very important element of bipartisan energy policy alive for the Americans who have built their lives around this industry.

Respectfully,

Liam Madden

President, Light On Earth Solar Partners

www.lightonearthvt.com