Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC – Today, the Department of Commerce (DOC) made the decision to act on a petition requesting a review of solar panel imports from companies working in Southeast Asia. The decision by the Biden Administration to approve this request will create an immediate effect on nearly 80% of US crystalline-silicon modules shipped from the region, creating ramifications throughout the country on the 230,000 Americans that work in the solar industry.
In response, Sierra Club Deputy Legislative Director Matthew Bearzotti released the following statement:
“The Biden Administration’s decision today will infuse significant uncertainty into the pace of solar deployment in the US, a key pillar of the energy transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy. If they do not quickly remedy this decision, it will have a real and immediate impact on the 230,000 Americans currently working in the solar industry today while putting the President’s own clean energy goals at risk.
“Rather than acting on a controversial and potentially ruinous petition from one lone actor, President Biden should take a far more impactful course: immediately move forward with leading the Senate to close a deal on the long overdue reconciliation bill. This bill and its climate provisions have game-changing US manufacturing investments for not only the solar industry but for wind, batteries, and other technologies that will revolutionize the clean energy economy. We have no time to waste; President Biden must take immediate action to invest in American industry and workers and close this unnecessary solar investigation.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.