Letter to the Editor - Congress: Don't Gut the Credits That Help Small Towns Save Big

I'm proud to live in Decorah for lots of reasons. One of those is that we punch well above our weight when it comes to producing our own energy. One reason? Our utility, Alliant Energy, has some of the highest residential electricity rates in the state and throughout the Midwest. That's why so many of us have turned to efficiency and solar — to take control of our energy costs and keep more dollars circulating in our local economy. In my own home, I've used the federal 25C tax credit to install insulation, replace leaky windows, and install a cold-climate air-source heat pump. I also used the 25D credit to install rooftop solar. Over time, these upgrades have helped cut my electric bills from over $120 to just $13 a month. That's money I can now spend locally, not send out of town to a Wall Street-backed utility. But this isn't just about homeowners. At Luther College, where I worked for 28 years, energy upgrades made possible by similar tax credits have helped stabilize one of the school's largest operating expenses. Local churches in our area are now using direct pay to do the same. Why would Congress pull the rug out from under them? Unfortunately, the House just introduced a tax bill that would eliminate both the 25C and 25D credits, as well as the commercial versions used by schools and churches. Senator Grassley, who serves on the Senate Finance Committee, has the chance to stop it. I urge him to defend these credits and keep our energy dollars working for Iowans. Jim Martin-Schramm Decorah, Iowa