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).
Grubhub recently announced their $1 million dollar fund for social good causes. The first initiative is being called "RestaurantHer" and is aimed at helping promote women and female-led restaurants in an uneven industry.
Former NBA star Al Harrington is looking to become the next marijuana mogul. He is taking on this emerging market with the introduction of his own line of CBD products that will roll out this summer. Harrington explains how marijuana can impact the pro-sports arena.
Georgia's Lieutenant Governor is calling on Delta to reinstate its relationship with the NRA. The backlash coming after Delta alerted the NRA plans to end its contract for discounted rates. Think Progress Editor Judd Legum explains how corporate america is splitting with NRA amid pressure from groups in light of a mass shooting inside a Florida high school earlier this month.
Gun control is at the top of the agenda for many in Washington. A number of initiatives have been proposed, from raising the minimum purchasing age for guns to banning bump stocks. But with so many cooks in the kitchen, will anything get done?
The Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday which center around an old law written in 1986, well before email and cloud storage were so prevalent. The case has big implications for consumer privacy, says Steven Overly, tech reporter at Politico.
Gideon Resnick, political reporter for The Daily Beast, discusses the Supreme Court's decision to not hear the Trump administration's appeals argument on DACA. This move essentially eliminates the March 5th deadline instated by President Trump last year.
The midterm elections are rapidly approaching. Members of Congress have those races in the backs of their heads as they make key policy decisions in Washington. J.D. Durkin brings us a special look at the race in Texas.
The Dow closes up nearly 400 points. Apple is reportedly releasing three new phones. Samsung unveiled its new S9 and S9+. The Supreme Court declined to take up the Trump Administration's appeal on DACA. Fitbit misses on earnings.
Cheddar Politics goes in-depth on the gun debate with The Young Turks, Rare Media, and Congressman Ted Deutch (D-FL). Between Bells catches up with Glam Masters' Kandee Johnson, and UnREAL's Bart Edwards.
Just six weeks after legalizing recreational marijuana, one California city is slashing its cannabis tax rate. The city of Berkeley is cutting its pot tax from 10% to 5% in an effort to attract and retain businesses in the area.
