House Repeals Solar Tariff Pause, Putting America’s Clean Energy Progress at Risk

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to repeal the Biden administration’s June 2022 proclamation to provide a two-year moratorium for new solar tariffs. 

Following is a statement from Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA): 

“Today the House of Representatives failed America’s 255,000 solar workers and put the near-term impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) at risk. The legislation will impose $1 billion in retroactive tariffs and cause 30,000 Americans to lose their jobs this year. 

“The two-year solar tariff moratorium was imposed as a strategic bridge to stand up U.S.-based manufacturing capacity while allowing developers to keep building projects and move us toward our clean energy goals. Companies are making massive investments in manufacturing facilities across the country thanks to the IRA, and all this legislation serves to do is undercut American businesses as they invest billions in capital and seek to employ thousands of workers. 

“We are urging senators to see through this political charade and examine the facts at hand. 

“The United States cannot produce enough solar panels and cells to meet demand, and the remaining 14 months of this moratorium gives us time to close the gap. The United States can get there and become a global leader in clean energy manufacturing and development. Overturning the moratorium at this stage puts that future at risk.”

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About SEIA®: 

The Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA) is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy, creating the framework for solar to achieve 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies and other strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power. Founded in 1974, SEIA is the national trade association for the solar and solar + storage industries, building a comprehensive vision for the Solar+ Decade through research, education and advocacy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org and follow @SEIA on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. 

Media Contact: 

Morgan Lyons, SEIA’s Director of Communications, mlyons@seia.org (860) 575-5729