Five big questions emerging from the OBBB

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Jul 17, 2025

Shayle speaks with Andy Lubershane, a partner at Energy Impact Partners and their head of research, about the complexities following the One Big Beautiful Bill. They delve into the biggest unresolved issue surrounding foreign entity concerns and explore the implications for tax credits across renewable sectors like nuclear and geothermal. The duo also discusses the extended timeline for hydrogen tax credits, how EV tax credits will affect both personal and commercial vehicles, and the broader impact on project planning in climate tech.

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INSIGHT

FIAC's Complex Impact on Supply Chains

FIAC restrictions mainly target components originating from or controlled by Chinese companies, complicating clean energy tax credit eligibility.
Solar projects manage FIAC risks better due to supply chain diversification; battery manufacturing faces greater challenges.

INSIGHT

Battery Manufacturing Faces FIAC Challenges

Battery manufacturing is the focal point of U.S. clean energy supply chain resilience the IRA targets.
FIAC restrictions on critical materials from China could raise costs and supply bottlenecks but buildout may still proceed.

INSIGHT

Safe Harbor Rules Create Market Uncertainty

Wind and solar tax credits depend on 'commencing construction' rules that are under review by Treasury.
This uncertainty causes a market limbo, favoring well-capitalized developers to safe harbor projects.

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The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) complicates things. Together with a related executive order, it dismantled key parts of the Inflation Reduction Act, while also injecting uncertainty into tax credit eligibility. The uncertainty in particular throws a wrench into project planning and leaves big questions about the impact across climate tech.

So what do we know about the complexities of the new policy landscape? And what questions still need answers?

In this episode, Shayle talks to his colleague Andy Lubershane, partner at Energy Impact Partners and the firm’s head of research. They cover five topics:

The foreign entity of concern provision and why Andy calls it the biggest unresolved issue

Safe harbor and under construction guidance

Tax credit disparities in coming years — tax credits for nuclear, geothermal, and CCS, not solar and wind — and how that might alter the generation landscape

Hydrogen’s extended tax credit timeline, and how much will get built

EV tax credits and their impact on both personal and commercial vehicles

Resources:

Latitude Media: The GOP megabill will reshape the tax credit transferability market

Latitude Media: Congress just reshaped the solar industry. Here’s what comes next

Latitude Media: How OBBB will impact the power grid

Latitude Media: With help from Chris Wright, geothermal is spared in the budget bill

The New York Times: Ford Says Battery Plant’s Tax Break Survived Republican Attacks

Credits: Hosted by Shayle Kann. Produced and edited by Daniel Woldorff. Original music and engineering by Sean Marquand. Stephen Lacey is executive editor.

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