A new podcast, "Right of Way," hosted by Thomas Hochman and Pavan Venkatakrishnan, has launched its inaugural episode focusing on the significant energy tax reforms introduced by the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The hosts engaged with Charles Donovan and Yogin Kothari to discuss the implications of this legislation and the path forward for the energy sector.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, by President Donald Trump, represents a sweeping overhaul of U.S. tax and energy policy. While making many individual tax cuts from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act permanent, the legislation notably rolls back key energy tax incentives established by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Experts estimate the Act reduces the cost of green energy credits by approximately half, saving about $500 billion over a decade.
The Act accelerates the phase-out or terminates various clean energy tax credits, particularly impacting wind and solar projects. For instance, technology-neutral tax credits for wind and solar projects placed in service after 2027 are terminated, with some exceptions. This shift is expected to significantly affect the renewable energy industry, making future clean energy projects considerably more expensive.
The "Right of Way" podcast, described in the tweet as "about energy & permitting," aims to delve into these complex issues. Thomas Hochman, Director of Infrastructure Policy at the Foundation for American Innovation, and Pavan Venkatakrishnan, an infrastructure fellow at the Institute for Progress, lead the discussions. Their guests, Charles Donovan, an expert in renewable energy finance, and Yogin Kothari, Chief Strategy Officer at the Solar Energy Manufacturers for America (SEMA) Coalition, provided insights into these reforms.
The conversation with Donovan and Kothari specifically addressed "energy tax reforms in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the road ahead," as stated in the tweet by Pavan Venkatakrishnan. This highlights the critical intersection of policy, finance, and industry advocacy in navigating the new energy landscape. The changes are anticipated to influence investment strategies and the development timeline for clean energy infrastructure across the nation.
The podcast serves as a timely platform for discussing how these legislative changes will shape the future of energy development and permitting processes. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act's provisions are poised to redefine the economic viability and strategic direction for various energy projects, prompting industry stakeholders to re-evaluate existing plans and adapt to the evolving regulatory environment.