Support the American Energy Independence and Affordability Act

Action Alert December 2025

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Americans are facing increasing energy costs and pollution as the Trump administration cancels projects for renewable energy, issues massive new tariffs, and rolls back clean energy tax credits. Fortunately, the American Energy Independence and Affordability Act, (H.R. 5862), introduced in the House of Representatives, would invest in clean electricity and restore the clean energy and transportation tax credits and incentives from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act that the current administration cut. Contact your Member of the House of Representatives to ask them to support the American Energy Independence and Affordability Act.

Background

The bi-partisan Inflation Reduction Act was a landmark climate law that introduced $369 billion in climate and clean energy investments. In the two years following the law’s passage, the U.S experienced unprecedented growth in renewable energy investments. Total IRA investments reached $115 billion, creating over 90,000 jobs. But President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill guts the tax incentives and grants for hundreds of clean energy and manufacturing projects.

Why Now?

The price of electricity keeps rising for the American consumer, as does the air pollution from generating it. According to the Center for American Progress, at least 210 U.S. gas and electric utilities have either already raised rates or proposed higher rates to go into effect within the next two years. Collectively, the in-effect and proposed rate increases would raise customers’ electricity and natural gas bills by $71.2 billion and $18.7 billion, respectively, by 2028. The electric power sector is a large source of global-warming CO₂ emissions from the U.S.  Electric power sector power plants that burned fossil fuels or materials made from fossil fuels, and some geothermal power plants, were the source of about 31% of total U.S. energy-related CO₂ emissions in 2022.

The sponsors of the American Energy Independence and Affordability Act say that their proposed legislation could deliver real relief by restoring Inflation Reduction Act incentives that make homes more energy efficient, lower energy bills, support clean and renewable power, expand access to affordable clean vehicles, and cut harmful global-warming emissions.

Jewish Perspectives

At the heart of Jewish environmental ethics lies a simple truth: “The Earth is the Lord’s,” not ours to exhaust or destroy. Flowing directly from this principle is the commandment of Bal Tashchit, the prohibition against needless waste. The examples in the Talmud (BT Shabbat 67b) may sound quaint or outdated; discussing a person who covers an oil lamp in a way that wastes fuel, or one who burns two wicks when one is enough, or who leaves lamps lit during the daytime when sunlight is available. Even more striking is that the lamps referenced burned renewable olive oil. Yet the sages were emphatic: wasting resources, precious or plentiful, is a violation of Jewish law. If our ancestors insisted on avoiding waste with something as renewable as olive oil, how much more so must we avoid waste when our fossil fuel energy sources today are dirty, destructive, and increasingly expensive.

Energy independence and affordability legislation offers us the chance to align our national policy with core Jewish values: to conserve resources, to avoid needless waste, and to protect God’s world for future generations. 

Learn More

H.R.5862 - American Energy Independence and Affordability Act, Congress.gov

Trump Administration Tries to Disrupt Solar and Wind Power Tax Credits, Natural Resources Defense Council

The Enormous Opportunity Costs of the Trump Budget Bill’s Attacks on Clean Energy, Union of Concerned Scientists

How Repealing the Inflation Reduction Act Would Harm the Economy, Energy Innovation

Sample Message for Democratic Representatives

Dear Representative,

I urge you to support the American Energy Independence and Affordability Act (H.R. 5862), a bill that restores the popular and successful renewable energy tax credits in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.

[Insert if true: Since President Trump took office, my utility and grocery bills are higher.] The One Big so-called “Beautiful” Bill gutted clean energy tax incentives while giving tax handouts to big oil. The American Energy Independence and Affordability Act prioritizes renewable energy over climate- and budget- busting fossil fuels.

This is a matter of faith to me because core Jewish values are to conserve resources, avoid needless waste, and protect God’s world for future generations. 

If you are not a co-sponsor of this bill, please become a co-sponsor. If you can, find a Republican to co-sponsor the bill with you. Let’s restore clean energy incentives for the sake of our health, our economy, and our planet.

Sample Message for Republican Representatives

Dear Representative,

I urge you to support the American Energy Independence and Affordability Act (H.R. 5862), a bill that would support U.S. domestic energy production and lower the price of electricity as well as its pollution.

I am concerned because the One Big Beautiful Bill has repealed tax incentives for renewable energy. Our country needs diverse energy sources for a strong economy. I believe the American Energy Independence and Affordability Act can be part of an “all of the above” approach to energy production, which will provide for a strong and secure future for America.

This is a matter of faith to me because core Jewish values are to conserve resources, avoid needless waste, and protect God’s world for future generations. 

I urge you to co-sponsor this bill. Please let me know your decision.

 How to Contact Your Members of Congress

Find your Members of Congress at https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials.

Call the Capitol switchboard (202) 224-3121 to reach your Member of Congress’ office.

Online: Go to your Member’s website and look for the “contact” page to submit a message.