By Frank Andorka, Senior Correspondent
Mirroring the efforts in the House, two Western-state Senators have introduced a federal bill to repeal the 30% solar tariffs President Donald J. Trump imposed on imported solar modules in January.
Earlier this year, solar tariffs repeal became a federal issue when five members of the House of Representatives introduced similar legislation.
U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) have introduced the Protecting American Solar Jobs Act, which would accomplish the same goals as the House solar tariffs repeal bill, meaning it would not only eliminate the tariffs immediately but would refund money already spent on the tariffs to the companies affected.
“President Trump’s decision to impose a new import tax on solar energy equipment harms hundreds of locally-owned companies, jeopardizes tens of thousands of workers and stifles billions of dollars in investment in communities and manufacturing in New Mexico and across the country,” said Senator Heinrich in a press release announcing the bill’s introduction. “We need to look at the bigger picture of the American solar industry and its role as a major employer of American workers. The bipartisan Protecting American Solar Jobs Act would reverse the harmful tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration and put American workers first.”
Heller also weighed in, saying:
Nevada continues to be a national leader in solar innovation. In fact, solar energy powers countless homes, businesses, and even resorts and casinos across our state,” said Senator Heller. “Our bipartisan bill protects Nevadans’ jobs in this important sector by reversing the 30 percent tax on solar panels, a tariff that threatens jobs and has the potential to harm our economy. I thank Senator Heinrich for his leadership on this issue, and I look forward to working with him to pass our proposal into law so that Nevada can continue to build on its renewable energy progress.
Whether either bill has a chance to pass out of committee is an open question, but the fact that such bills have been introduced do show the increasing awareness of solar’s importance to the country and its economy. In particular, Heller’s support may show that Nevada politicians finally understand how important solar is to the state’s economic future after several years of stumbling around after an inexplicable decision to end net metering prematurely – a decision that has since been rectified.
Read the full bill here:
Heinrich-Heller Tariff BillMore:
Bipartisan Tariff Repeal Bill Introduced In Congress – Any Chance It Passes?