Rep. Sykes Issues Statement on H.J. Res. 39, Votes to Protect Thousands of U.S. Solar Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, U.S. Representative Emilia Strong Sykes (OH-13) voted against H.J. Res. 39, which would end the temporary solar “bridge” implemented by the Biden Administration. The solar “bridge” created a temporary suspension to the collection of tariffs on imports of certain solar cells or modules. This bridge gives the U.S. solar industry the time it needs to ramp up investments in domestic manufacturing and reorient overseas supply chains away from dependency on Chinese suppliers.
The Solar Energy Industries Association estimates retroactively imposing these tariffs would eliminate 30,000 good-paying U.S. jobs, including 4,000 manufacturing jobs and $4.2 billion in domestic investment.
“Thanks to the historic investments in solar energy development from the Inflation Reduction Act, we are on track to dramatically increase our domestic solar manufacturing capacity, bringing thousands of good-paying jobs back to Ohio. Signing this resolution into law would have an immediate and disastrous impact on our clean energy industries, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of Americans. While I strongly oppose China’s illegal circumvention of U.S. tariffs, we can hold China accountable without sacrificing good-paying American jobs here at home,” said Rep. Sykes.
$1.47 billion was invested to advance solar infrastructure in the state of Ohio last year, and 7,411 people are employed in the solar industry statewide.
On June 6, 2022, President Biden issued Proclamation 10414, declaring an energy emergency to ensure American families have access to reliable, affordable, and clean electricity. The Department of Commerce issued a rule to implement that declaration by creating a temporary exception to the collection of antidumping and countervailing duties on imports of certain solar cells or modules. This moratorium will end June 6, 2024.
H.J. Res. 39 would reimpose these tariffs, disrupting the current supply of solar products to the United States. Commerce would face tremendous uncertainty and stakeholder concerns in the process of reimposing tariffs on solar products.