Solar Tax Credits: 1978–2025 (never enough)

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 30, 2025

Aaron Nichols on LinkedIn provided a history of federal solar tax subsidies, beginning with Jimmy Carter. His point was to show that the numerous extensions (15 by my count) were bipartisan. My point, instead, is that on-grid solar is inherently noncompetitive against free market energies. [Note: AN blocked me]

Solar tax credits were not “created by the Inflation Reduction Act” or “invented by the Biden Administration,” Nichols begins. He continues:

The first solar energy incentives were created in 1978 by Jimmy Carter’s Administration. They’ve even enjoyed bipartisan support and been renewed by Republican administrations! Here’s a high-level history of solar tax credits:

1978: The Energy Tax Act of 1978 set the first federal solar ITC at 10% of project costs. Congress extended and modified this credit through the early 1980s, eventually making a 10% solar ITC permanent in 1992.…

Thomas R. DeGregori: Last Knight of Institutionalist Resourceship (two tributes)

By Administrator -- June 27, 2025

In Memoriam, Thomas Roger DeGregori (1935–2025)

Pierre Desrochers

Tom DeGregori, professor emeritus of economics at the University of Houston whose work has been discussed on a few occasions on this blog, passed away a few days ago. Thousands of people knew him better than me (we only met twice), but he became an occasional correspondent nearly three decades ago after I had serendipitously come across his work on technological change on the bookshelves of the Université de Montréal while researching my doctoral dissertation.

I was hooked and tried to get my hands on anything he had published in defense of human creativity and material progress, including modern agriculture. At first my readings were limited to his articles in the Journal of Economic Issues and other academic outlets then available at my alma mater.…

Climate Exchange with Jean Boissinot: For the Record

By Robert Bradley Jr. -- June 26, 2025

Diana Urge-Vorsatz , Vice Chair of the IPCC, Professor at Department of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Central European University, posted:

JUST HOURS AGO, the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted a landmark carbon pricing measure for international shipping. Starting in 2028, ships will be financially accountable for missing decarbonisation targets – a crucial development for a sector that was not included in the Paris Agreement, which focused solely on domestic emissions.

She justified the action:

Shipping is responsible for nearly 3% of global CO₂ emissions (which is about as much as Russia)… Without stronger action, shipping emissions are projected to double by 2100. Moreover, with over 40% of maritime freight used for carrying fossil fuels (AR6 WGIII Ch 10.6), decarbonising energy systems could also lead to a reduction in shipping volumes.

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