SEMA Coalition Comments on Rights-of-Way, Leasing, and Operations for Renewable Energy.

Solar is poised to be the world’s leading source of energy by 2040 and, according to the Department of Energy, could provide 40% of the nation’s electricity by 2035. Accordingly, we must ensure the U.S. government is taking the necessary steps to reduce the country’s reliance on overseas supply chains to meet our future clean energy needs. Despite the incentives provided by the IRA, the solar industry continues to face significant headwinds from foreign competitors who operate with significant government subsidies and are undermining fair competition.

It is critical that the federal government utilize its land leasing authority to incentivize the use ofAmerican-made solar panels and components through a strong and effective Buy American rate reduction. This type of policy signal will help the U.S. work in partnership with solar manufacturers to establish a strong, secure, and resilient solar manufacturing supply chain —from polysilicon through module manufacturing — to meet our current and future deploy ment needs in the U.S. and globally while creating good-paying manufacturing jobs.

With this perspective in mind, we have provided responses to the proposed rule on items that will have the greatest impact on SEMA Coalition members and the future of the U.S. solar manufacturing industry.