Time to thank WA Rep. Newhouse for standing up for energy | Opinion

In these polarized times, it’s helpful to recognize the actions of people who dare to buck the majority of their political party to serve the broader interests of their constituents. Rep. Dan Newhouse is one such person.

Everyone knows that Newhouse voted to impeach Donald Trump after he incited his most avid supporters to storm the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2020.

Many Democrats have therefore helped re-elect Newhouse to two more terms as the representative for Washington’s 4th Congressional District, even as some Democrats have expressed disappointment with him as he consistently votes the Republican party line and embraces traditional conservative positions on defense, border security, reproductive health, guns and taxes.

So, all but the most engaged political observer might be surprised to learn that on March 9, Newhouse signed a letter to the chair of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee calling for continuation of energy tax credits that support electricity production and manufacturing in the U.S.

Although the letter did not mention it, those tax credits are authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed by Democrats without Republican support in 2022.

Why did he sign the letter calling for continuation of the energy tax credits?

First, the IRA is supporting $5.5B in energy/manufacturing projects in his district. While the IRA support for those projects is just a fraction of the total capital investment in those projects, that level of investment in a congressional district would be difficult for any congressional representative to undermine with a vote to reverse the federal funding that the investments are relying on.

The projects include a $3.7B solar photovoltaic + battery facility north of Prosser, a $416M battery production plant in Moses Lake, a $313M battery plant also in Moses Lake, and several other large solar farms adding up to $800M.

These facilities will generate revenue and sustain jobs for the 4th District well beyond their construction phases. The energy tax credits also involve production tax credits that will reduce the cost of the electricity produced.

Second, Newhouse’s district needs much more electricity for data centers, fertilizer plants, electric vehicles and heat pumps. The amount of energy depends very much on how much industrial capacity is added, but one recent statewide estimate is for a 30% increase in 10 years.

Rep. Newhouse has consistently advocated an all-of-the-above energy strategy. The state is committed to eliminating all electricity production from fossil fuels and hydroelectric production has little room for expansion. That leaves wind, solar, and nuclear, which the tax credits support.

Third, Newhouse wasn’t alone. The letter was signed by 21 Republican representatives. This should not be surprising, since 80% of the IRA climate funding has gone to congressional districts represented by Republicans.

Newhouse’s signature is a strong indicator of the likelihood of his continued advocacy and vote for continuation of those energy tax credits. But we shouldn’t take that for granted.

Let’s thank him for publicly supporting the tax credits, and urge him to use his powers of persuasion to preserve those tax credits for the sake of our district.