Key Impact Points:
- $6 billion in tax credits were allocated to over 140 projects across 30+ states in the second round of the § 48C Program.
- Projects are estimated to create 30,000 construction jobs, with 10,000 located in energy communities.
- Combined funding from both rounds totals $10 billion, supporting 250 projects with investments exceeding $44 billion.
$6 Billion for Clean Energy and Jobs
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the allocation of $6 billion in tax credits under the second round of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) § 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit Program. This funding is part of the $10 billion investment in advanced energy projects aimed at expanding U.S. manufacturing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“These allocations are a key milestone in meeting the economic and energy security goals of the IRA,” noted program officials.
Focus on Energy Communities
The program reserved 40% of funding for projects in designated § 48C energy communities—regions impacted by coal mine or plant closures. Round 2 allocated $2.5 billion to approximately 50 projects in these areas, totaling $4 billion across both rounds. These investments aim to support manufacturing, critical materials recycling, and industrial decarbonization.
Wide Industry Impact
Projects receiving tax credits span a variety of sectors:
- Clean energy manufacturing and recycling: $3.8 billion to support components like clean hydrogen, EVs, batteries, and renewable energy infrastructure.
- Critical materials processing and recycling: $1.5 billion for refining lithium, copper, and rare earth elements, as well as recycling initiatives.
- Industrial decarbonization: $700 million for technologies like heat pumps and electric boilers to reduce carbon emissions, eliminating an estimated 2.8 million tons of CO2 annually.
Job Creation and Local Commitments
The initiative is expected to generate 30,000 construction jobs over four years, with a third of projects using project labor agreements to ensure skilled labor. One-fifth of projects have committed to collective bargaining agreements or similar benefits to support local priorities.
Certification and Future Steps
Awardees must meet certification and placed-in-service requirements to claim tax credits. Certification involves milestones like notifying the DOE through the 48C portal and adhering to service deadlines. Failure to meet these criteria results in forfeiture of allocated credits.
The IRS and DOE will publish the names and allocation details of certified projects to ensure transparency and accountability.
This program underscores the U.S. government’s commitment to accelerating the energy transition, fostering clean energy innovation, and creating high-quality jobs nationwide.
