Resolution would prevent Buy America requirements for and hinder U.S. manufacturing of EV chargers
Casey: “This resolution would do irreparable damage to American workers and manufacturing, weaken our supply chain security”
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) voted against a resolution to effectively remove Buy American standards for electric vehicle (EV) chargers and force the United States to continue relying on China for products critical to the next generation of clean vehicle infrastructure. The resolution would require the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to return electric vehicle chargers back to the general manufactured products waiver, meaning EV chargers funded by taxpayer dollars would not need to meet any U.S. manufacturing or Buy America content value requirements.
“By forever hindering our Nation’s ability to become less reliant on Chinese manufacturing of EV chargers, this resolution would do irreparable damage to American workers and manufacturing,” said Senator Casey. “Because of our domestic EV charging industry, America has the opportunity to become a world leader in the technology of the future. This cynical political ploy would force us to squander that opportunity.”
Earlier this year, the FHWA issued a temporary public interest waiver phase in Buy America requirements for EV chargers, removing EV chargers from the long-standing Manufactured Products General Waiver. The temporary waiver allows EV charging infrastructure projects to immediately proceed. Today’s resolution would disapprove of the waiver, and potentially prevent FHWA from removing EV chargers from the general manufactured products waiver, permanently weakening Buy America standards for clean vehicle charging infrastructure. The resolution has been fiercely opposed by unions including the AFL-CIO, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and United Steel Workers. It also opposed by the BlueGreen Alliance, League of Conservation Voters, and the Alliance of American Manufacturing.
Casey has been a staunch supporter of Buy America standards, as well as legislation to develop American EV manufacturing capacity and energy independence. He fought to pass the Build America, Buy America Act as a part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which requires that all of the iron, steel, manufactured products, and construction materials used in infrastructure projects are produced in the United States. Casey also fought to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, which included tax credits for individuals and companies manufacturing or deploying clean energy technologies to help lower costs and secure our energy independence, as well as his provision to provide a “domestic content” bonus credit for companies that use American steel, iron, and manufactured goods. In March, Senator Casey led a letter urging the U.S. Department of Treasury to prioritize American manufacturing and workers in the implementation of the clean energy tax credits passed in the IRA.
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