SEIA Vice President Designated Chairman of Department of Commerce Advisory Committee

WASHINGTON, DC — John Smirnow, vice president of trade and competitiveness at the Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA®), has been designated chairman of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (RE&EEAC).  The re-charted committee was launched in recent days by acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank.

“The renewable energy and energy efficiency sector holds tremendous growth potential, and transitioning to cleaner, safer and affordable sources of energy is a high priority for the Department of Commerce and for President Obama,” said acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Blank. “We need to work together to continue reducing our imports of foreign oil, increasing renewable electricity generation, boosting fuel economy standards, and implementing common sense policies that increase energy efficiency and spur investment from clean-energy companies.”

“This is a critical time for the renewable energy and energy efficiency communities as we work to deploy U.S. innovation, technologies, and services in the face of intense global competition,” said Smirnow. “We greatly appreciate the Obama Administration’s commitment to solar and other renewable resources, and look forward to collaborating with the Commerce Department and RE&EEAC to spur the continued growth of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency exports.”

As the federal government’s top advisory committee on renewable energy and energy efficiency, RE&EEAC advises the Secretary of Commerce on the development and administration of programs and policies to expand the competitiveness of U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency products and services.  RE&EEAC also works closely with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), given DOE’s role as co-chair of the inter-agency Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Working Group on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency.

Additional Resources:
– Letter from acting Sec. of Commerce Rebecca Blank nominating John Smirnow as chair of RE&EEAC
– SEIA International Trade fact sheet: http://www.seia.org/policy/manufacturing-trade/international-trade
– U.S. Dept. of Commerce, “Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank Announces New Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee Members,” Feb. 20, 2013

About SEIA®:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,000 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. www.seia.org

Media Contacts:
Jamie Nolan, jnolan@seia.org, 202.556.2886