US renewable energy subsidies benefit a Chinese solar company in Ohio

A NEW SOLAR PANEL FACTORY HAS BROUGHT HUNDREDS OF NEW JOBS TO OHIO-

WITH THE PROMISE TO PRODUCE MORE THAN 9.2 MILLION PANELS ANNUALLY.

WHICH WOULD MAKE IT ONE OF THE NATION’S LARGEST ADVANCED SOLAR PANEL MANUFACTURING HUBS.

BUT CRITICS ARE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE FEDERAL SUBSIDIES THIS PLANT WILL RECEIVE-

WHEN NEARLY HALF OF IT IS OWNED BY A CHINESE COMPANY.

LOCATED IN PATASKALA OHIO, THE FACTORY IS A JOINT VENTURE CALLED ILLUMINATE USA.

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN U.S. POWER DEVELOPING GIANT INVENERGY AND CHINA’S LONGI GREEN ENERGY-

THE LATTER CONTROLLING 49 PERCENT OF THE BUSINESS.

WITH THIS SETUP ALLOWING THEM TO SKIRT AMERICAN TARIFFS ON CHINESE MADE SOLAR PANELS.

THE PROJECT HAS REPORTEDLY RECEIVED A 15-YEAR TAX ABATEMENT FROM THE CITY AND 4 MILLION DOLLARS IN INCENTIVES FROM A STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

ALL IN ADDITION TO 350 MILLION DOLLARS IN POTENTIAL ANNUAL TAX SUBSIDIES FROM THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

LOCALS SAY GIVING THOSE FUNDS TO A CHINESE-BACKED ENDEAVOR IS BETRAYING AMERICA AND ALLOWING AN UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD-

AS BEIJING ALREADY DOLLS OUT SIGNIFICANT SUBSIDIES AND TAX BREAKS TO ITS OWN SOLAR MANUFACTURERS.

BENEFITS THAT HELP MAKE THEIR SOLAR PANELS ALMOST HALF THE COST OF AMERICAN-MADE ONES.

WHILE THERE ARE OHIO RESIDENTS WHO DON’T WANT TO SEE U.S. TAX DOLLARS BENEFIT THE CHINESE ECONOMY-

THEY ALSO FEAR WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THOSE INCENTIVES ARE ULTIMATELY TAKEN AWAY.

POTENTIALLY COSTING PEOPLE IN THE STATE THEIR JOBS SHOULD LONGI GREEN ENERGY DECIDE RESPOND BY PULLING THEIR BUSINESS.

HOWEVER, ILLUMINATE USA’S CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER CLAIMS THAT EVEN IF THEIR SUBSIDIES ARE ROLLED BACK THE COMPANY WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS-

SAYING NOTHING CAN’T BE OVERCOME AND THEY’RE HERE TO STAY.

TO GET MORE STORIES ABOUT CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA OVER THE RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION, DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP AND SIGN UP FOR ALERTS FROM ME- JACK AYLMER.