Name one industry that’s almost indisputably good for the environment, good for consumers, and good for fostering independently owned, local business. We’d say that solar energy is a great example, especially when we build solar right where customers use the power to reduce their power costs.
There are plenty of way that our leaders at the national level can help the industry, and a majority of the public supports doing so. Naturally, this majority is bipartisan and diverse. So we’re pleased to pass along the news that this week a group of members of Congress are forming a Solar Caucus, and your Congressperson has the opportunity to join them.
Why we look to Congress for leadership and support
Members of Congress want to get good things done that will benefit their districts, and by doing so they always hope to get re-elected so that they can stay in office to keep doing more good things. Congress has been responsible for some great strides for solar energy in the past, like enacting the federal solar energy tax credit, which remains a great incentive for helping homeowners go solar.
To move forward measures that will grow solar in communities across the country, it would help to have a working caucus made up entirely of members from both parties looking for some proposals they can agree on. Founding members of the caucus Representative Ralph Norman (Republican, South Carolina) and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (Democrat, Illinois) will head up what we hope will be an active, driven and productive caucus!
Will their work grow solar jobs? Will they understand and address the impact of solar tariffs? Can they make good policy for deploying residential energy storage systems more widely? Time will tell, and the more legislators can get involved and engage and embrace solar in the economy in their districts the better the chances!
What you can do:
Your member of Congress works for you, and so if you want to see them be an ally to the solar energy community, tell them so! It’s important to write to the proper legislator, the one who actually represents you (you and your neighbors are their constituency, the people who elect them.) To make sure your message reaches the right person in Washington, you’ll enter your address on the action page linked below.
Contact your congressional representatives and ask them to join the Solar Caucus today. Thanks for following solar issues!
