In the New York Times article, “Renewable Energy Is Surging. The G.O.P. Tax Bill Could Curtail That,” the co-authors, Brad Plumer and Jim Tankersley, argue that Republican bills could decrease the amount of wind and solar power used in order to increase oil and gas production. This could be counterproductive to the recent increase in the use of renewable electricity generation due to the lowered cost of solar and wind production from the favorable tax treatment. One Senate bill is attempting to stop multinational companies from moving their profit overseas which could be used to pay for the renewable energy industry. On the other hand, the House bill will “roll back tax credits for wind farms and electric vehicles,” in order to finance nuclear reactors in Georgia. They are also looking to allow oil drilling within the Arctic National Wild Refuge in Alaska. These changes could potentially eliminate around 50% of the new wind farms throughout the nation. These bills only add to federal policy that could stop the Environmental Protection Agency and taxes on imported solar panels.  This could affect states like California that rely heavily on environmental energy while supporting gas and coal production in areas like Texas.  The Trump administration has been vocal about wanting to diminish the use of solar and wind energy completely. It is almost appalling that these bills are even being discussed in the Senate and House. With large amounts of data that correlate the use of coal, oil, and gas to negative climate change and carbon dioxide emissions, it would be surprising if anyone passed this bill. However, due to the fact that the Trump administration and most Republicans are behind these bills, they probably will be passed, continuing the damage to the Earth.

Plumer, Brad, and Jim Tankersley. “Renewable Energy Is Surging. The G.O.P. Tax Bill Could Curtail That.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 Dec. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/12/07/climate/tax-overhaul-energy-wind-solar.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fclimate.