The Biden Administration recently waived tariffs on solar panels from four countries in a move advocates say will accelerate the clean energy transition and benefit national security.
The waived tariffs apply to four Asian countries— Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam—over the next two years. The action was hailed by solar industry and environmental advocates.
Due to fears of tariffs being enacted retroactively, solar industry-wide delays had stalled some planned shutdowns of coal plants. The tariff decision was part of a larger announcement that authorizes the Defense Production Act (DPA) to increase U.S. production of clean energy technology like heat pumps.
The announcement also authorizes the DPA to produce solar panel parts, building insulation, equipment for making and using clean electricity-generated fuels, and power grid infrastructure including transformers.
The DPA action is intended to decrease U.S. reliance on gas and oil, which the administration says, will benefit national security. It will also spur domestic manufacturing, construction projects, and good-paying jobs, the administration said.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Green Building Initiative launches two certification programs for green building professionals
The Green Building Initiative® (GBI), one of the nation’s leading green building organizations and exclusive provider of the Green Globes green building certification in the United States, today announced the availability of two new personnel certification programs for green building practitioners: Green Globes Professional (GGP) and Green Globes Assessor (GGA).
| Aug 11, 2010
Brandeis University's new Shapiro Science Center completed
Payette, a leading architectural design firm specializing in complex buildings for medical and scientific research, academic teaching, and healthcare, announced today the completion of Phase One of the 175,000 square foot Carl J. Shapiro Science Center at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass. Phase One of the complex is 101,045 GSF and Phase Two is planned for 74,080 GSF.
| Aug 11, 2010
AGC: No recovery yet for construction industry as latest figures show double-digit drops in spending compared to last year
The construction industry continues to suffer from significant declines in privately-funded construction investments, with new federal figures showing private construction investments declined by 20.6 percent between September 2008 and September 2009. The new Census Bureau figures show there’s no sign of an economic recovery yet for the nation’s construction industry, the Associated General Contractors of America noted today.
| Aug 11, 2010
Casino Queen breaks ground on $2.15 million entertainment venue
The Casino Queen in East St. Louis, Ill., is raising the stakes in its bid to capture a larger share of the local gaming market with the start of construction on a new $2.15 million sports bar and entertainment venue that will enhance the overall experience for guests.
| Aug 11, 2010
Construction employment declines in 49 states & D.C. in September compared to last year
Construction employment again declined in large numbers in all but one state this September compared to last year according to an analysis of new state-by-state employment figures released today by the federal government.
| Aug 11, 2010
Outdated office tower becomes Nashville’s newest boutique hotel
A 1960s office tower in Nashville, Tenn., has been converted into a 248-room, four-star boutique hotel. Designed by Earl Swensson Associates, with PowerStrip Studio as interior designer, the newly converted Hutton Hotel features 54 suites, two penthouse apartments, 13,600 sf of meeting space, and seven “cardio” rooms.
| Aug 11, 2010
HDR, Perkins+Will top BD+C's ranking of the nation's 100 largest healthcare design firms
A ranking of the Top 100 Healthcare Design Firms based on Building Design+Construction's 2009 Giants 300 survey. For more Giants 300 rankings, visit http://www.BDCnetwork.com/Giants
| Aug 11, 2010
U.S. Green Building Council's new headquarters earns LEED Platinum
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is proud to announce the Platinum certification of its new Washington, D.C. headquarters – making it the first project to certify under the latest version of the LEED green building rating system.
