President Donald Trump’s attempt to create U.S. jobs by taxing solar panel imports could backfire.
That’s according to the CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association trade group, who says it’s domestic workers that will feel the pain.
“We have been the fastest growing form of new energy...and this is putting the brakes on that crazy growth,” Abigail Ross Hopper told Cheddar in an interview. “These are not people who are looking for what nationality the company they work for is. They just want to feed their families and pay their mortgages. And those are the people whose jobs are at risk.”
Earlier this week President Trump signed a law that would impose a 30 percent tariff on imported solar panel and sells, a move the administration says will encourage domestic manufacturing.
But the SEIA says the vast majority of the 260,000 Americans employed in the industry work in peripheral industries like installation. Ross Hopper says the bill will result in 23,000 layoffs this year and delay or cancel billions of dollars of investment in the sector.
She also says it might dissuade U.S. consumers from going green.
“Most [businesses and consumers] want to choose solar because it saves them money,” she said. “This decision changes that calculus.”
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/solar-power-in-america).
Providing equal pay, national paid leave, and paid sick days will all bring real changes to the workplace, says Valerie Jarrett. The former senior adviser to President Obama is now focused on tackling these issues.
The host and comedian joined Cheddar to talk about the CNN show's third season. He explains the role social media had in choosing to feature the Sikh community in an episode.
The Democratic congressman from Massachusetts told Cheddar that constituents are not happy with the Trump administration and will take their concerns to the polls.
The world-renowned journalist is known for asking the tough questions. In her new CNN series "Sex & Love," those questions get intimate.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions is suing California for policies that obstruct "enforcement of federal immigration law." But Sacramento's Democratic Mayor Darrell Steinberg says the sanctuary city does, in fact, cooperate with federal agencies when it comes to people with serious criminal records.
Michael Harriot, columnist at The Root, discusses the Pennsylvania special election for the 18th Congressional district. Currently, it's a toss-up with only 24 hours remaining before residents head to the polls.
Last summer, trans members of the military had thriving careers. But when President Trump tweeted about potentially banning them from serving, many felt their lives were back in jeopardy.
A new study finds fakes news travels 6 times faster on Twitter than real news. The head of Goldman Sachs responds to reports he is leaving his post. Florida Governor Rick Scott signs a gun safety bill. The bull market celebrates its 9th birthday. The Nasdaq hits a record high.
Fake news on Twitter travels six times faster than real news and reaches far more users according to a study released by researchers at MIT. Can fake news be stopped?
There is a special election in Pennsylvania's 18th district Tuesday that could provide a clue as to what we'll see in November. Managing editor of political site Sabato's Crystal Ball, Kyle Kondik, says the party that holds the White House historically pays a penalty down the ballot.
