WASHINGTON, DC - Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), released the following statement today in support of the recent Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Declaration to advance trade and investment in environmental goods and services:

“We congratulate the Obama administration for its successful leadership of this year’s APEC forum. The 2011 APEC Leaders’ Declaration advances important environmental goods and services initiatives, which will help foster the growth of solar energy within the Asia-Pacific region.

“In particular, we are pleased to see APEC’s commitment to reducing tariffs and incorporation of SEIA’s input to eliminate trade distorting local content requirements for environmental goods and services. We also applaud APEC’s agreement to encourage standards and conformance solutions based on international systems, which included recommendations from SEIA’s Environment, Health and Safety Committee.

“These new initiatives will help expand export opportunities for U.S. solar manufacturers, create jobs for U.S. workers and drive down costs to consumers.

“As competition within the solar industry grows, APEC will continue to serve as an important forum for facilitating economic growth, cooperation, trade and investment within the industry. We look forward to our continued participation in APEC industry dialogues, working groups and expert groups, as this process provides an important opportunity for public-private collaboration within the solar industry.”

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About SEIA:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA and its 1,000 member companies are building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy.