Hinchey Lauds Obama Administration for Imposing Tariffs on Illegally Subsidized Chinese Solar Panels

Press Release

Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today lauded a decision by President Obama's U.S. Department of Commerce to impose tariffs on illegally subsidized Chinese solar panels.

"Countless Americans are out of work because China's illegal subsidies put American solar manufacturers at a competitive disadvantage," said Hinchey. "The Obama Administration's decision to put in place a tariff on imported Chinese solar panels is a good first step and will help to correct this problem. I've been calling for such action for several years, and I'm glad to see something is finally being done."

In September 2010, Hinchey called on President Obama to end unfair trade practices, which have put America's growing clean energy and solar energy producers, particularly in New York's Hudson Valley, at a competitive disadvantage. In November 2010, the Obama Administration informed Hinchey that it was launching an investigation into allegations that China is illegally subsidizing its solar and clean energy industries. In March 2011, Hinchey testified at a hearing of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission to again draw attention to China's flagrant violations of international trade laws.

The Congressman also made note of his efforts to bring solar energy manufacturing to New York. "For years, I've been working to bring solar energy manufacturing to New York State. I helped establish The Solar Energy Consortium, which has brought hundreds of jobs to Ulster County and throughout the Hudson Valley. I secured funding for renewable energy and battery research centers at Binghamton University and Cornell University. I also authored a provision, which is now law, that requires the Department of Defense to purchase solar energy panels in accordance with Buy American provisions."

"We've had a lot of success, but all of these efforts have been consistently undercut by China's rampant and illegal subsidies solar panel subsidies," Hinchey continued. "These subsidies violate international trade laws and artificially lower the price of Chinese panels, making American products uncompetitive. There is still a great deal to do, but I applaud President Obama's decision to take action to correct this very serious problem."

Hinchey led the effort to establish The Solar Energy Consortium (TSEC) to build partnerships between local universities and solar energy start-ups throughout upstate New York. The cooperative and coordinated approach has helped create more than 600 solar jobs.

Source