Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm drew criticism on social media Sunday after she said that Americans crushed by the burden of inflation could lower their energy costs by installing solar panels at a 30 percent discount under the Inflation Reduction Act. During an appearance on “Fox News Sunday,” Granholm said the Democrats’ $437 billion climate and health care legislation would provide thousands of dollars in tax credits to lower- and middle-class Americans to outgrow homes their. “If you’re low-income, you can completely gut your house through the expansion from the bipartisan infrastructure laws, a major expansion — you don’t have to pay for anything,” Granholm said. BIDEN OFFICERS PUSH ELECTRIC CARS TO RECESSION-BREAKED AMERICANS FROM THEIR ‘POLITICAL FANTASYLAND’: EXPERT Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm speaks during a press conference at the White House on May 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) “If you want heat pumps, insulation, new windows, that’s covered,” he said. “If you’re on a modest income, today you can get 30% off the price of solar panels. These solar panels can be financed, so you don’t have to have the big upfront costs… it’s a big incentive.” President Biden, right, shakes hands with White House Chief of Staff Ron Klein with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington on June 30, 2021. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty images) “If you don’t qualify for the weatherization scheme, you’ll be able, from next year, to get discounts on appliances and equipment that will help you reduce your monthly energy bill by up to 30%,” he added. “This is about keeping costs down for people.” BIDEN ENERGY SECRETARY GRANHOLM: GREEN ENERGY IS ‘BEST PEACE PLAN THE WORLD HAS EVER KNOWN’ Ohio Republican Senate candidate JD Vance linked his Democratic opponent, Rep. Tim Ryan, to the Granholm clip on Twitter, writing, “If you’re poor, Tim Ryan will give you 30% off the price of solar panels “. “They won’t keep you warm this winter, but they’re made in China, so there’s that,” he added. Republicans criticized Granholm’s comments as unusual. The Inflation Reduction Act includes thousands of dollars in tax breaks and rebates for homeowners to upgrade their homes to be more energy efficient. Households with incomes below 80% of the area median can claim a rebate for the full cost of their appliance upgrades, up to a maximum of $14,000, and households falling between 80% and 150% of the area median income are eligible for rebates of 50% of their cost, up to $14,000. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm speaks during a news conference at the White House on Nov. 23, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The bill also provides a 30% tax credit to homeowners for installing solar panels and other renewable energy measures. This isn’t the first time Granholm has faced backlash for appearing out of touch with lower- and middle-class Americans. In November 2021, with gas prices rising, Granholm burst into laughter after being asked during an interview about her plan to increase oil production in the United States, saying, “That’s hilarious.” Jessica Chasmar is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @JessicaChasmar.
