Buying Foreign Solar Made In America
In an article from OregonLive.com, "SolarWorld, others in Oregon hope to benefit from new "Buy America" law", there are indications that the DOD Appropriations Act has a provision that will give SolarWorld and other companies with U.S. factories some protection from Chinese solar companies.
First, take a few steps back and recall on December 19, 2010, President Barack Obama signed in to law the 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. At the time of the signing, most of the media was hailing that Act as a successful move to support the efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Due diligence will have you reading between the lines and understanding that the Act was much more.
You can find the provision in H.R. 3326: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 , Section 8038 which "Prohibits the use of funds: (1) by a DOD entity without compliance with the Buy American Act."
Let's look at a few more details and attempt to take away key elements. As the article from OregonLive.com states, SolarWorld is a German based company that manufactures panel in the U.S., so without trying to drum up international conflict, keep in mind that this will not prevent China (or any country the U.S. imports products) from building factories on U.S. soil.
First side of the coin:
"Buy American" has its obvious benefits to American business owners and employees. No need to go in to flag-waving.
Second side of the coin:
"Buy American" is misleading. The argument of who makes what and where often surfaces when discussing automakers. Case in point. Did you know that Toyota may be more "American" than Ford? Read this article from CNN.
My take is as long as something is being made in the U.S., I'm content with the employment that any country can bring to our nation.
Anyways, thank Roosevelt for the Buy American Act and what this can do for all green industries as far a job opportunities.
Then again, you can always count on interesting little add-ons like Section 9004. At least someone will be riding in style.
It better be in a Toyota.
-Michael
First, take a few steps back and recall on December 19, 2010, President Barack Obama signed in to law the 2010 Department of Defense Appropriations Act. At the time of the signing, most of the media was hailing that Act as a successful move to support the efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Due diligence will have you reading between the lines and understanding that the Act was much more.
You can find the provision in H.R. 3326: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 , Section 8038 which "Prohibits the use of funds: (1) by a DOD entity without compliance with the Buy American Act."
Let's look at a few more details and attempt to take away key elements. As the article from OregonLive.com states, SolarWorld is a German based company that manufactures panel in the U.S., so without trying to drum up international conflict, keep in mind that this will not prevent China (or any country the U.S. imports products) from building factories on U.S. soil.
First side of the coin:
"Buy American" has its obvious benefits to American business owners and employees. No need to go in to flag-waving.
Second side of the coin:
"Buy American" is misleading. The argument of who makes what and where often surfaces when discussing automakers. Case in point. Did you know that Toyota may be more "American" than Ford? Read this article from CNN.
My take is as long as something is being made in the U.S., I'm content with the employment that any country can bring to our nation.
Anyways, thank Roosevelt for the Buy American Act and what this can do for all green industries as far a job opportunities.
Then again, you can always count on interesting little add-ons like Section 9004. At least someone will be riding in style.
It better be in a Toyota.
-Michael
Comments
Post a Comment