As Christians, we believe budgets are moral documents, as they demonstrate what we care about and what we are willing to invest in as a country. Right now, Congress is preparing the federal budget for the next fiscal year. As communities across the country experience harm caused by increased flooding, fires, and drought –  investing clean energy is imperative to address the urgency of the climate crisis. 

In order to meet the moment and enhance resilience in the face of climate disasters, the Department of Energy estimates the U.S. must double the size of its power grid in the next decade – a challenge requiring robust investments in affordable, renewable energy sources. Without increasing the amount of electricity on the power grid, prices will rise for consumers and businesses, jeopardizing further economic growth. The clean energy tax credits passed under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are essential for supporting this transition and meeting the power requirements of a growing clean energy economy. 

Houses of worship across the country have embraced the IRS's new elective pay provision, also known as “direct pay,” which allows qualifying tax-exempt organizations to receive rebates for clean energy and energy efficient projects. These provisions have empowered Christian communities to make investments that not only reduce their energy costs but also free up resources to expand the vital spiritual and material services they provide to their communities; services like education, food distribution, child care, and more. Without these credits, many faith institutions will be forced to choose between long-term investments and paying higher electricity bills.

The U.S. Senate will begin budget negotations for FY26 this week. Your voice can make an impact as the budget continues to take shape. 

Take action today! Use the tool below to contact your Senators and urge them to stand for a clean energy future.