How New Energy Legislation Could Disrupt the Grid—and Your Wallet

It’s not every day you see a bill that could rewrite the entire energy roadmap of the U.S.—and not in the way most folks would expect. But here we are.

There’s a new piece of energy legislation moving through the Senate that’s making waves—and not the good kind, especially if you're invested in the future of clean energy, care about U.S. competitiveness, or simply want to keep your electricity bills in check. Let’s break down what’s going on, why it matters, and how this could affect your financial future.

What's in the bill?

Nicknamed the “Big Beautiful Bill” by some, this legislation proposes eliminating key tax credits for solar and wind energy projects. For years, these credits have been a major driver behind clean energy growth in the U.S., especially after the Build Back Better Act extended them through 2032.

Here’s how it worked before:

• Wind projects got paid per megawatt hour of electricity they produced (production tax credit).

• Solar developers could get 30–50% of their capital costs back in the form of a tax credit—upfront.

Pretty big deal, right?

But the new bill aims to yank those benefits away far earlier than expected—essentially accelerating the phase-out of those credits to start in 2028 instead of 2032. Even worse, projects need to be fully up and running by 2027 to qualify, meaning many developers simply won’t make the cut.

The rug pull

Imagine you’re building a house. You’ve poured the foundation, bought the lumber, hired the crew—then someone tells you the tax incentives you were relying on just evaporated unless the roof is finished tomorrow. That’s essentially what’s happening to developers.

These projects aren’t just paper plans. Billions have already been invested. Timelines are set. And now? A good chunk of them could get axed.

Third-party analysis estimates that as much as 40% of solar and wind projects planned beyond 2028 might be canceled. That’s not just a hit to the energy sector—it’s a gut punch to future power capacity.

Why this matters to your wallet

You may be wondering, "Okay, but what does all this mean for me?"

Let’s put it in plain terms: the U.S. is in the middle of an energy crunch. With the AI boom, electric vehicles, and data centers demanding more power than ever, we’re projected to need an additional 150 gigawatts of electricity in the next five years.

Natural gas producers can’t scale fast enough to fill that gap. Coal is too expensive (and dirty). That left solar and wind to do the heavy lifting.

Now, if nearly half those projects vanish? We’re looking at a serious shortfall.

And when supply can’t meet demand? Prices go up. That means higher utility bills, potential energy shortages, and stalled industrial growth.

Not exactly the formula for long-term economic stability—or investor confidence.

The bigger picture

Energy isn’t just about keeping the lights on. It powers our economy, our technology, and our national defense. We’re in a high-stakes AI arms race with countries like China, and guess what fuels those massive AI compute clusters? Electricity. Lots of it.

Slowing down renewable energy buildouts while simultaneously opening up more federal land for coal and natural gas (which the bill also does) might sound like a win for fossil fuels. But it’s not a real solution—it’s a short-term patch with long-term consequences.

As one analyst put it, “This isn’t shooting ourselves in the foot—it’s shooting ourselves in the chest.”

So, what can you do?

No one’s expecting you to single-handedly fix U.S. energy policy (unless you're secretly in Congress—if so, we need to talk). But as a smart investor or someone planning for the long haul, you can:

• Evaluate your portfolio’s energy exposure. Are you diversified across sectors likely to benefit—or at least not be blindsided—by energy volatility?

• Think about inflation risk. Energy costs affect everything from food prices to manufacturing. How well is your financial plan insulated from those ripple effects?

• Consider long-term trends. This bill may slow renewables for now, but demand for clean energy isn’t going anywhere. Know when to ride it out—and when to lean in.

And if you’re not sure where to start?

That’s where we come in.

At Halter Ferguson Financial, we keep a close eye on legislation like this because it doesn’t just shape markets—it shapes your future. Whether you’re planning for retirement, investing for growth, or just trying to make smarter money decisions, we’ll help you navigate the shifting landscape with confidence.

Let’s talk. Reach out today to schedule a personalized consultation with one of our advisors.