U.S. Solar Market Sees Record Growth; Trade Tariff Impacts Hurt Chinese Manufacturers

In 2012, the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) approved of the high tariffs (24-36%) that the United States placed on Chinese solar panel manufacturers.  The ITC found that the cheap Chinese panels hurt U.S. solar panel manufacturers’ ability to sell their product. Gordon Brinser, president of SolarWorld America and leader of the Coalition of American Solar Manufacturing (CASM) supported this decision based on the idea that “with the [] support of the Chinese government, [Chinese manufacturers] have attempted to game the international trading system in order to gain a virtual monopoly on solar cells and modules sales in the U.S. market.” 

Industry analysts surmise that these low-cost Chinese panels majorly contributed to the increase of solar installations in the United States. A recent solar trade group report demonstrated a large increase in the solar market. A headline for the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) website reads “U.S. Solar Market Grows 76% in 2012.” President and CEO of SEIA, Rhone Resch, stated that solar panel costs dropped by 60% since the beginning of 2011. This reduction in price has resulted from a number of factors, but obviously relates to the recent glut of solar panels that Chinese producers dumped on the United States over the recent years.

While it is not completely clear what the long-term repercussions of the tariffs will be, the impacts begin to come to light. On March 14, 2013, the New York Times covered the above-mentioned solar trade group report alongside a story about Suntech, one of the world’s largest manufacturer’s of solar panels.  Due to the tariffs, among other things, Suntech faces serious cash flow problems.  The company’s financial straits are so dire, that it is rumored that the local municipal government (Wuxi, China) is positioned to take over Suntech.

The trade report and financial issues plaguing Suntech demonstrate that winners and losers will result as the United States turns to the modern solar age.  Analysts consider the Chinese tariffs to have little impact on the overall cost of solar installations in the US, and any increase in price will be tempered by cost reductions due to improved technology.  Also, regardless of price fluctuations in solar panel costs, the United State’s government continues to bolster the burgeoning solar industry through the extension of the investment tax credit through 2016.  

Written for SIEL by:
Scott Hilgenberg, 3L

The Global Shale Initiative - “Balancing Energy Security and Environmental Concerns”

On August 23rd and 24th, the US Department of State hosted the first ever Global Shale Initiative under the theme “Balancing Energy Security and Environmental Concerns.” Over 50 delegates from 20 countries attended the meeting prominent amongst them were China, India, Poland and South Africa. Also in attendance were the EPA and 12 other USG agencies, oil companies with the fracking technology. 

Shale gas is natural gas formed as a result of being trapped in shale formations. The process used to extract shale gas is known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking. Hydraulic fracturing has become a contentious environmental and health issue throughout the world to the extent that France, Bulgaria and certain states in the United States like Vermont have banned the practice entirely, while some other countries and certain states in the United States have placed a moratorium on the practice to have ample time to carry further studies for purposes of making an informed decision.

Proponents of fracking were claiming before that no evidence has been found to prove that the process causes adverse environmental and health effects, thus implying that the process is safe. They also claim that developing natural gas using this modern technology will reduce dependence on foreign countries, create jobs and help in reducing green house gases. Right now they are saying that with effective regulations, fracking can be done safely.

On the other hand, those who are against it claim that it causes serious environmental and health risk such as water pollution, air pollution, increase of green house gases in the atmosphere, earth quakes and so on.

Here’s what I think was wrong with the Global Shale Initiative:
- Though the Global Shale Iniative included Environmental Concerns in its theme, no environmental organization was invited. The State Department invited the EPA, which has no regulation specifically on fracking, meanwhile state agencies which have some specific regulation on fracking were not invited.
- Also, Poland was among the countries invited and encouraged to develop it shale reserves. Poland gets most of its energy from Russia, if it can develop its shale reserves, it will become Energy Independent and less control from Russia.
- Also, the oil companies were invited to talk about the fracking technology and after the conference India, China and South Africa have invested million of dollars in these oil companies to get the technology.

Written for SIEL by:
Eric Denzel, 2012 L&C Alum

Tickled to Death – The Rapid Demise of the Slow Loris

Few are stranger to the “cute animal video” phenomenon that has swept the internet (don’t lie—we all know you’ve watched Henri the existential cat ponder the true meaning of Christmas). In fact, some of you have probably seen the viral videos of an adorable, saucer-eyed primate being tickled or holding a tiny cocktail umbrella. This umbrella-toting tickle-fiend is called the slow loris, from the genus Nycticebus. Slow lorises are nocturnal, venomous primates indigenous to the rainforests of South and Southeast Asia. They can have an adult weight of up to four pounds, and a lifespan of up to twenty years. Unfortunately, the slow loris rarely survives long enough to see old age due to habitat loss and, to a much greater extent, the illegal pet trade.

Photo taken by Dr. Karmele Llano Sánchez of the International Animal Rescue

In 2007, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora listed slow lorises under Appendix 1, the strictest level of protection provided, which prohibits international commercial trade of slow lorises. Additionally, in 2010, the International Union for Conservation of Nature listed all five species of slow loris as either vulnerable or endangered “due to severe and persistent persecution for the pet trade.” But despite the laws prohibiting the slow loris trade, enforcement of these laws is lacking, and thousands of slow lorises are still poached from the wild and illegally sold for the exotic pet trade, for use in traditional medicine, and as bushmeat (meat from endangered animals).

Standard practices involve stealing infant slow lorises from their mothers (often resulting in the death of their mothers), transporting them in poorly ventilated, cramped wire cages that cut their sensitive hands and feet, and cutting or pulling off their teeth with nail clippers—a procedure done without anesthetic, to make them “better” pets. It is not surprising that 76% of captured slow lorises die from stress, poor nutrition or infection while in transit to pet shops in Japan and Europe, or to be sold on the streets of Indonesia. But not all slow lorises are sold as pets. Many are dismembered for use in traditional medicine as love potions, cures for leprosy, or to ward off evil spirits (note: they don’t work).

In 2013, three new species of slow loris were distinguished. Two species—N. bancanus and N. borneanus—had previously been thought to be subspecies of the Bornean slow loris, and a new species—N. kayan—was discovered. Prior to this split, Bornean slow lorises were considered “low risk” because they seemed to be somewhat common due to their broad geographical distribution. However, with the new knowledge that Bornean slow lorises are actually comprised of four separate species, they are now known to be at a higher risk of extinction than originally presumed. Furthermore, accurately identifying distinct species of slow loris is critical to conservation efforts because it is essential for rescue centers and confiscation authorities to release them to appropriate locations.

The proper understanding of slow loris speciation is just one way scientific research is key to conservation efforts and developing effective policy. The first meeting of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services is now underway in Bonn, Germany.  Although the purpose of this meeting is primarily to agree on rules of procedure for the platform, it is a significant step toward bridging the gap between science and policy to preserve biodiversity in terrestrial, marine, coastal, and inland water ecosystems. Along with improved scientific understanding and increased public awareness, 2013 could bring some positive changes for our cute, nocturnal friends and other animals harmed by the illegal wildlife trade.

Written for SIEL by:
Jia Feng, 1L