President Biden received criticism Monday after invoking the Defense Production Act to potentially accelerate the production of solar panels, with journalists and Republicans questioning the reason for using special powers in wartime.
Meanwhile, proponents of renewable energy applauded the White House’s announcement that Biden would invoke the act “to accelerate domestic production of clean energy technologies, including parts of solar panels.”
MP Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) Tweeted: “Biden’s irresponsible and possibly constitutionally corrupt misuse of the Defense Production Act should be a concern for all Americans. The DPA is not a card out of the prison to cover up a lazy and inept government, which is exactly how this administration uses it.
Chris Stewart (R-Utah) questioned Biden’s priorities and tweeted: “Can’t find a formula for your baby? Can’t afford to refill your petrol tank? Don’t worry, @POTUS will have new solar panels ready in no time … “
Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to potentially accelerate the production of solar panels.AP
It is unclear whether the statement will have any effect in the short term, nor was it clear whether the timing had anything to do with record gas and diesel prices. The White House statement did not mention the increase in bomb prices.
The Department of Energy and the White House will bring together “key players” to discuss future steps to “maximize the impact of DPA tools,” the statement said.
Fox Business journalist Edward Lawrence asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre the reason for invoking the DPA.
Renewable energy advocates applauded the White House announcement.AP
“What is the real emergency in the solar industry for the Defense Production Act?” Lawrence asked Jean-Pierre’s usual briefing.
“The president, when he passes the Defense Production Act, is to make sure he’s giving to the American people,” Jean-Pierre replied. “It’s an important tool that I’ve used a couple of times and that has been incredibly effective.”
Jean-Pierre added: “It is invoking the Defense Production Act to rapidly expand domestic production of solar panel parts, building insulation, heat pumps and more.”
The Obama administration’s aggressive stance on solar panels has sparked the Solyndra.AP scandal.
He said Biden separately “is putting all the strength of the federal government’s purchasing power behind supporting US clean energy manufacturers, and is providing U.S. solar entrepreneurs with the short-term stability they need to build clean energy projects and provide more affordable energy. “
In response to a question from another journalist, Jean-Pierre said that invoking DPA would not benefit solar panels imported from China.
“These actions do not apply to any material imported from China. Import duties will continue to apply to solar cells and panels in China or Taiwan,” he said.
Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) Praised Biden.AP’s comments
The Biden administration did not specify a national defense reason to use the act to augment the solar panels.
When Biden was vice president, the Obama administration aggressively boosted solar power production, sparking the Solyndra scandal when a politically linked company went bankrupt after securing $ 535 million in federal loan guarantees.
The Defense Production Act, in particular, was used by the Trump administration to coerce companies into making fans and testing swabs in the early COVID-19 pandemic, and more recently Biden invoked it to speed up production. baby formula to alleviate scarcity.
MP Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) Called Biden’s comments “irresponsible and possibly constitutionally corrupt”.
Many Democrats expressed approval of Biden’s latest action, which can only influence corporate behavior through the threat of action.
“Three congratulations to Biden for using the DPA to expand domestic solar panel manufacturing,” tweeted Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Who wrote that the action could improve “American energy independence.” which drives U.S. businesses and workers.
“Great to see [Biden] invoke the DPA in the name of clean energy today, “tweeted billionaire investor Tom Steyer, a renewable energy promoter who ran against Biden for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.” This plan will drive North manufacturing -American, will accelerate solar innovation and create good jobs. An important step forward. “