Sanders Promotes Domestic Solar Industry, But Warns Against Trade Restrictions

By TAYLOR DOBBS • 40 MINUTES AGO

Excerpts:

As the Trump administration works to undo regulations in place intended to slow global climate change, Sen. Bernie Sanders is calling for further investment in U.S. renewable energy efforts.

“Despite what President Trump and his administration may think, climate change is real, climate change is caused by human activity, climate change is already causing devastating problems in our country and around the world,” Sanders said. “Just ask the people of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Texas or Florida, who have experienced enormous damage due to recent ferocious storms that were exacerbated by warmer air holding more water vapor.”

Sanders made the remarks while visiting a test site in Williston that is one of five solar “Regional Test Centers” in the country, but the only one located in a northern climate. The test centers are designed to give extremely accurate scientific data about solar generation. By testing different technologies and solar panel configurations, researchers hope to help find new ways to develop and use solar energy.

“The solar sector employs a quarter-million people in this country – more than Apple, Google and Facebook combined – and the potential for additional job growth is huge,” Sanders said. Federal investment in the research happening at the Williston site will help add even more jobs, Sanders said.

http://digital.vpr.net/post/sanders-promotes-domestic-solar-industry-warns-against-trade-restrictions#stream/0





Sen. Bernie Sanders visited a solar testing center in Williston on Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017.
TAYLOR DOBBS / VPR