Oregon is facing a significant challenge as the One Big Beautiful Bill becomes law, putting 4 gigawatts of planned wind and solar energy at risk. The bill phases out tax credits for renewable energy projects, making it more difficult to add new power generation to the grid.
According to Atlas Public Policy, nearly 50 gigawatts of planned wind and solar power projects across the US are at risk of not coming online under the new law. Oregon is poised to lose more renewable energy than Texas, which could have significant implications for the state’s goal of transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2040.
Solar developers, including Obsidian Renewables’ David Brown, are warning that the bill will delay or cancel projects unless states provide incentives and support to get them online sooner. The company has been waiting over five years to begin construction on a 400-megawatt solar farm in Central Oregon due to permitting delays.
To qualify for tax credits, projects must start construction by July 4, 2026, and complete the process within 2029 or 2027, respectively. However, finding suitable locations and obtaining permits can be a lengthy process, often taking years.
Atlas Public Policy has created a Clean Economy Tracker to monitor renewable energy manufacturing and power deployment across the country. Rachel Reolfi, senior policy analyst, says that while wind and solar remain the cheapest source of new electricity, delays and cancellations are likely unless states provide support for projects.
The governor’s office has stated that if a special session is called, the focus will be on addressing transportation funding issues, rather than supporting renewable energy projects. This has raised concerns among developers and advocates who are seeking legislative proposals to speed up the permitting process.
As the demand for energy continues to skyrocket due to electrification and data center growth, the ability to meet those demands is shrinking. The One Big Beautiful Bill’s impact on Oregon’s renewable energy goals will be closely watched as the state navigates this complex issue.
Source: https://www.opb.org/article/2025/07/10/under-trumps-new-law-oregon-could-lose-big-on-solar-and-wind-energy-projects