Why America First Could Leave Solar Last
Trump’s “America First” Policy Could Cripple the U.S. Solar Industry; The president is about to make a decision that could cost more jobs than the entire coal industry, and Republicans aren't happy about it.
Emily Atkin, January 18,, 2018 (New Republic)
“In the United States, 260,000 people work in the solar energy industry, and 88,000 of them—more than the coal industry’s entire workforce—may be at risk of losing their jobs [if the president decides to impose a proposed tariff on imported solar panels and solar cells]…At least 40 percent of solar panels in America are Chinese-made, and their low cost is partially why the United States has seen stunning increases in the amount of solar-powered electricity, and concomitant price decreases, over the last decade…[Two foreign-owned solar manufacturing companies with operations in the United States told] the U.S. International Trade Commission this was the result of unfair competition. The commission] agreed, and] recommended the Trump administration limit imports and impose tariffs of 10 to 35 percent…[A draft White House document] signals that Trump’s White House is poised to accept these recommendations, which would force Chinese suppliers to hike their prices…If utilities and homeowners can’t access cheap solar products, they’ll be less likely to choose solar for electricity generation. And if electric utilities and homeowners stop choosing solar, jobs in product installation and electricity generation—which make up the majority of U.S. solar jobs—will plummet…Free-market groups like the Heritage Foundation and the American Legislative Exchange Council are opposed to protectionist trade measures…” click here for more
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