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Government Affairs News

Week in Review

May 5, 2023

Senate Votes to Reverse Biden Solar Tariff Pause
On May 3, 2023, the Senate voted on a resolution that reverses President Biden’s 24-month pause on import tariffs for solar cells and modules. This Congressional Review Act resolution passed the House last week with bipartisan support. It gained support from 48 Republican Senators as well as nine Democratic Senators. Supporters are concerned with America’s continued reliance on other countries for our energy supply chains and believe that this pause undermines the recent infrastructure legislation. However, if this resolution were to undo this pause, the solar industry will face a setback.

NECA's Take: On May 3, 2023, the Senate voted on a resolution that reverses President Biden’s 24-month pause on import tariffs for solar cells and modules. This Congressional Review Act resolution passed the House last week with bipartisan support. It gained support from 48 Republican Senators as well as nine Democratic Senators. Supporters are concerned with America’s continued reliance on other countries for our energy supply chains and believe that this pause undermines the recent infrastructure legislation. However, if this resolution were to undo this pause, the solar industry will face a setback.

 

Federal Contractor Vaccination Requirement to be Lifted
On May 2, 2023, the Biden Administration announced it will be lifting its COVID-19 vaccination requirements for federal contractors effective May 11th. This is the same day that the public health emergency will end. The President will be issuing an executive order formally lifting the vaccination requirement.

NECA's Take: With the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, NECA will continue to keep contractors up to date with any changes to federal requirements.

 

Funding for Electric Heat Pump Manufacturing Announced
On April 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announced $250 million in funding to accelerate electric heat pump manufacturing in America. This is the first funding opportunity released by the DOE that utilizes the Defense Production Act (DPA). DOE is seeking projects that will:

  • Construct new commercial-scale facilities or expand existing facilities to create new or additional domestic production capability
  • Retool or retrofit existing commercial-scale facilities to transition manufacturing from non-heat pump HVAC systems and/or water heating equipment to produce electric heat pump materials, heat pump components, and heat pump systems
  • Invest in America's clean energy manufacturing workforce by providing good-paying union jobs

NECA's Take: NECA supports the Department’s initiatives to increase manufacturing of heat pumps to help resolve supply chain issues. We are working with the Department on next steps to implement the DPA authority for solar panels and transformers.

 

Rep. Norcross and Rep. Fitzpatrick relaunch Building Trades Caucus
On April 26, 2023, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) announced the re-launch of the Bipartisan Building Trades Caucus, which focuses on issues that impact the construction industry. The lawmakers note that the caucus will work to expand opportunities to apprenticeship programs and job training programs across the country while supporting and protecting workers in the building trades.

NECA's Take: NECA applauds the relaunching of the Building Trades Caucus with over 90 members already having joined. NECA will continue to work closely with Rep. Norcross and Rep. Fitzpatrick to find new ways to expand apprenticeship programs and encourage more people to enter into the building trades.

 

NECAPAC Update

Special thanks to Kevin Connelly of Connelly Electric and David Chorley of Continental Electrical Construction for renewing their PLC!

NECAPAC Total 5/5/23 - $266,769
Operational Fund Total  5/5/23 - $126,595


NECA On the Move
Last weekend, Jared Karbowsky travelled to the Senate Working Group Retreat and met with Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS), Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Senator Katie Britt (R-AL), Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), and Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). 

NECA government Affairs also met with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), and Rep. Dan Meuser (R-PA).