Senators urge exclusions from solar panel tariffs, citing potential job loss
U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), in coordination with seven additional senators, recently sent correspondence to Trump Administration officials requesting that 72-cell, 1500-volt utility-scale solar panels be excluded from the recently imposed tariffs on solar products.
The letter cited the panel’s role in creating jobs in the United States and supporting the domestic solar industry. The tariffs, the letter said, would increase the costs for the panels and diminish their economic benefits
“The exclusion of 72-cell, 1500 volt solar panels from the safeguard measure will preserve tens of thousands of existing solar manufacturing and development jobs, foster market expansion, and allow the U.S. to once again fairly compete in the global marketplace for energy production technologies,” the senators wrote. “Sensible product exclusions will uphold the integrity of the safeguard measures intended to facilitate positive adjustment to competition from imports of certain crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells.”
In addition to Tillis, the letter was signed by Sens. Dean Heller (R-NV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Burr (R-NC), Pat Roberts (R-KS), and Tim Scott (R-SC).
It is addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry.
