WASHINGTON D.C. — Following is a statement from Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), on President Biden’s State of the Union address:

“President Biden’s vision for an equitable and just clean energy economy strikes the right tone as the United States continues to make progress in its effort to decarbonize. Tonight, marks the first State of the Union address since the President signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law and changed the trajectory of America’s quest to address climate change. 

“The IRA is already working, with tens of thousands of new jobs and billions in investments announced since the IRA was enacted in August. Voices from across the political spectrum can all agree that the clean energy industry must be less reliant on adversaries for the products we use, and the IRA is the first major step we’ve taken to significantly strengthen American clean energy manufacturing.

“By 2032, there will be five times the amount of solar that’s installed today, which is enough electricity to power every home east of the Mississippi River. People in every zip code will be breathing cleaner air and working in stable, family-supporting clean energy careers. The IRA will help to uplift vulnerable communities and put them at the forefront of this American success story. 

“Equity must continue to be a guiding light for our work in the solar and storage industry. We must be vigilant and make sure that the benefits of clean energy reach every community, and that the wealth-building opportunities extend to every American who wants to be part of the clean energy vision. 

“Without bipartisan support we won’t get very far. We know that solar is America’s favorite fuel source, and that overwhelmingly American communities want to get more of their energy from solar. Every new business, job, and community powered by the sun is a victory, and we must work tirelessly to tell those stories, regardless of where they are located and who’s in power. 

“The solar and storage industry is on the precipice of yet another big year, and we look forward to working with the Biden administration and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to realize our full potential.”