Kansas has become a leader in clean energy. With abundant wind resources and smart, forward-looking policies in cities like Lawrence, our state has shown what’s possible with tax credits that jumpstart American manufacturing and drive a clean energy boom. In the last four years alone, these tax credits have generated over $4.24 billion in investments and more than 21,000 jobs here in Kansas. This is making a difference in people’s livelihoods, our state and local economies, and the health of our environment.

Yet despite this progress, the budget reconciliation bill now advancing in the U.S. Senate proposes eliminating clean energy tax credits — specifically for wind, solar and battery storage — putting those investments and jobs at risk of disappearing overnight.

The impact of these cuts would be deeply felt in Kansas. These investments are fueling economic growth and job creation that would stall or disappear entirely, putting tens of thousands of jobs at risk. And the cost to small businesses and households would be significant: Without these credits, average monthly electricity bills are expected to increase for Kansans by over 15% in the next year. This would seriously impact our farmers while stripping away potential additional income from renewable energy on their land and further fueling the inflation they face.

Clean energy gives back to our local economy. On average, clean energy generates over $30 million in property, state and local taxes across Kansas. It also provides farmers, ranchers and private landowners nearly $68 million annually in drought-proof land lease payments. Eliminating these credits will only exacerbate a growing farm crisis in Kansas. Farmers and ranchers are facing record-high costs for agricultural inputs, and commodity prices are often below the cost of production, so now is not the time to increase electricity costs and remove a stable source of revenue for farm owners.

These cuts would also be disastrous for the future of our environment. Over the past 50 years, North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds, and many species are at risk due to rising temperatures and habitat loss. Grassland birds like the ones found here in Kansas have experienced some of the steepest declines. As leaders of the Lawrence Bird Alliance, we have seen this loss firsthand with fewer sightings of birds like the grasshopper sparrow. Birds are indicators of the overall health of our ecosystems, and their decline signals that our environment is out of balance. As elected leaders evaluate our domestic energy needs, the Senate should make sure clean energy is part of an ‘all of the above’ U.S. energy agenda moving forward.

Clean energy tax credits are a smart investment in our state’s future, which is why renewable energy has garnered bipartisan support in Kansas over the years. They lower costs, create high-quality jobs and help protect the wildlife that make our state so special. Kansas has already proven it can lead the way with a strong foundation for a resilient clean energy economy. Now it’s time to continue building on that progress to support our communities.

— Kelly Barth is the current president of the Lawrence Bird Alliance. Debbie Baker is the incoming president.