Sponsors (5)
The bill encourages hiring veterans into renewable-energy jobs by expanding the WOTC—supporting veteran employment and clean-energy workforce growth—while imposing federal costs, administrative burdens, and leaving some veterans or territories disadvantaged unless they meet specific tax or job-eligibility conditions.
Employers hiring certified veterans for renewable-energy work can claim the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), lowering hiring costs and making it easier for businesses—especially small employers—to hire veterans into clean-energy roles.
Veterans with DoD credentials, recent vocational degrees, or LEED certification gain a clearer, more direct pathway to paid jobs in the renewable-energy sector.
Workers and communities benefit from growth in the local clean-energy workforce (solar, wind, hydro, biomass, geothermal) as the credit incentivizes hiring into those industries.
Taxpayers may face higher federal costs because the WOTC expansion increases government outlays and could strain IRS administration or enforcement resources.
Designated local agencies and employers face added administrative and compliance burdens to certify eligibility and claim the credit, which could slow processing and raise costs for small employers and workforce agencies.
Some veterans may be excluded because the credit is limited to wages paid for renewable-energy work, leaving out veterans in other qualifying roles or career paths.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Adds a WOTC category for certain veterans working in defined renewable energy fields, limited to wages for those services.
Official title: To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide the work opportunity tax credit with respect to the hiring of veterans in the field of renewable energy.
Introduced May 13, 2026 by Yvette Diane Clarke · Last progress May 13, 2026
Creates a narrow new Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) targeted at certain veterans who work in renewable energy jobs. Qualified veterans who meet specific military, vocational, or LEED credentials become a “specified veteran” for WOTC purposes, but the credit only applies to wages paid for services performed in defined renewable energy fields. The change amends the Internal Revenue Code, defines covered renewable technologies (solar, wind, moving water, biomass/waste, geothermal), requires certification by local agencies, includes special rules to offset tax losses for U.S. possessions, and applies to employees who begin work after December 31, 2025.