Webinar Round-Up: Post-Election Primer: New Policies and New Prospects for Renewables
The recent webinar, "Post-Election Primer: New Policies & New Prospects for Renewables" hosted by Schneider Electric’s Sustainability Business, provided an insightful discussion on the future of renewable energy in the United States, particularly in light of the recent November election outcomes. A quick summary recap is below:
John Powers, Global Vice President for Schneider Electric's Renewable Energy Advisory Practice, opened the session by highlighting the significant role the U.S. has played in corporate renewable energy procurement. Over the past four years, the market has experienced both challenges and opportunities, with the Biden administration's policies providing a mix of headwinds and tailwinds for the sector.
The discussion featured insights from additional Schneider Electric renewable energy experts Erin Decker, Senior Director, Renewable Energy and Carbon Advisory Services, and Emily Rose, Associate Director, Renewable Energy Investments, who elaborated on the evolving strategies corporations are employing to meet their renewable energy and carbon reduction goals. Decker emphasized the growing trend of companies setting ambitious sustainability targets and the various tactics they are deploying, such as power purchase agreements (PPAs) and renewable energy certificates. She also highlighted the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which has extended tax incentives for renewable energies, thus acting as a significant tailwind for corporate renewable energy initiatives.
Emily Rose provided a detailed overview of the financial mechanisms supporting renewable energy projects, particularly the role of tax credits. She explained how the Inflation Reduction Act has facilitated corporate investments in clean technology projects through tax credit transfer mechanisms. This has also opened up new opportunities for corporations to leverage their tax liabilities to support renewable energy projects, thereby aligning their financial strategies with sustainability goals.
Looking ahead, the panelists discussed the potential impacts of the new administration on renewable energy policies. While there is still much ahead of us regarding future legislative changes, the consensus is that corporate demand for renewable energy will continue to grow. The session concluded with a call to action for corporations to actively engage in policy advocacy and continue their sustainability efforts, leveraging the available financial tools and market opportunities to drive the transition to a cleaner energy future.
For more information from our team on recurring legislative updates: Post-Election Insights Hub
Access the on-demand recording of this recent webinar: Post-Election Primer.