McDermott Will & Schulte partners discuss energy policy outlook with Utility Dive

Heather Cooper and Carl Fleming spoke with Utility Dive about how the 2026 midterm elections could shape energy policy, including federal energy tax credits and the growing power needs of data centers.

Heather discussed how changes in congressional control could affect energy tax credits, while noting the clean energy industry’s experience navigating shorter incentive timelines. She highlighted the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act’s longer runway, which resulted in a “phenomenal amount of money poured into this industry.”

Carl addressed how developers are approaching project economics amid policy uncertainty: “A number of folks have already worked out scenarios where some of these projects pencil out regardless of tax credits.” He also discussed the challenges of keeping policy aligned with rapid data center growth, noting, “It’s no longer a race to power; it’s a race to bankable power.”

McDermott Will & Schulte’s Digital Infrastructure & Strategic Capital platform brings together energy, tax, regulatory and financing capabilities to help clients navigate these interconnected challenges across the development, financing and growth of data centers and related infrastructure.

Read the full article in Utility Dive: “Energy affordability tops voter concerns in election set to shake up Congress.”