GA senators must prioritize clean energy manufacturing

Georgia has quietly become a powerhouse of manufacturing in one of the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy. With renewable energy predicted to be the leading source of energy generation by 2035 and electric vehicles (EV) looking at explosive growth over the same period, Georgia’s early investments in clean energy manufacturing are poised to take off as we come out of the COVID-19 recession. 

Georgia is the third fastest-growing generator of solar power in the United States and the second fastest growing state for solar jobs in the country. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been invested in EV manufacturing facilities in Georgia. Many of these investments have been made in rural areas as industries like textiles have moved overseas.  

But Georgia’s current senators have worked against this growth. From indifference on clean energy jobs, to outright climate change denial, our senators are working against Georgia’s potential to grow good, clean energy manufacturing jobs to rebuild our middle class. While Sen. David Perdue (R-Ga.) could not find the time to even comment on American solar and renewable energy tax credits or trade protection, he did find the time to stand up for the out-of-state coal industry saying it is time “to stop crippling the coal industry and start focusing on our nation’s energy independence.” There is no coal mining in Georgia, but our state hosts the largest solar panel manufacturing facility in the Western Hemisphere.  

Coal simply can’t compete with low cost renewables, and the real threat to Georgia’s growing clean energy industry is China. China continues to give massive subsidies to its clean energy companies in an effort to dominate and monopolize production of all goods throughout these technologies’ supply chains.

But we don’t have to let them win. We can support U.S. manufacturers who are building the future right here, in Georgia. In addition to the massive solar panel factory, Dalton, Ga., is also home to a recently announced $85 million factory that will make parts for EV. These two facilities are revitalizing an area previously decimated by the loss of textile manufacturing jobs.  

The Dalton story is a great-news story about manufacturing in our state. These are solid, stable middle class manufacturing jobs. We need senators who will fight against dumped Chinese goods, and help open markets for the solar panels and electric vehicles produced in Georgia.  

We’ve done it before. Tax credits for efficient appliance manufacturing dramatically increased the availability and affordability of U.S. made washers, refrigerators and dishwashers. Now the top Democrat in the tax committee in the Senate proposes doing the same for manufacturing critical clean energy components here at home. With Georgia in the driver’s seat to deliver those products, it’s worth asking where the candidates stand on bringing these jobs home. That tax credit would be a huge win for Georgia’s middle-class workers. 

But none of that will happen if coal-state Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) controls the Senate, and if Georgia’s senators side with out of state coal interests over Georgia manufacturing jobs. In the coming election, Georgians have an opportunity to send two leaders to Washington who will fight for every manufacturing job in the state. Georgia needs senators who are firmly committed to clean energy manufacturing and challenging China’s domination of the global solar and EV industries. The record is clear. Georgia voters should only support those candidates who will prioritize clean energy manufacturing in our state. 

Ben Unger is the former deputy campaign manager for Inslee for President and a resident of Atlanta. As a clean energy leader, Unger is passionate about defeating climate change and rebuilding the economy with strong, union, middle class jobs.