The Defense Department has dismissed current issues {that a} venture to put in photo voltaic panels on the Pentagon’s roof and different installations will use Chinese supplies.
The Pentagon’s push got here after Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin wrote a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin final week expressing issues {that a} $104 million, taxpayer-funded plan so as to add photo voltaic panels to the Pentagon and different installations will use Chinese supplies, which the governor warned has “vital implications for US nationwide safety.”
“The DOD won’t be putting in Chinese-made photo voltaic panels on the Pentagon,” a Pentagon spokesperson informed Fox News Digital. “The Department follows the necessities of the Buy American Act in making clear vitality, vitality effectivity, and clear vitality buying selections.”
YOUNGKIN CALLS OUT PENTAGON’S PLAN TO GIVE CHINA MILLIONS WITH ROOFTOP SOLAR PANELS
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Youngkin’s letter got here in response to a January Defense Department announcement of the deliberate venture, which the Pentagon stated was a part of the Biden administration’s effort to advance clear vitality and “rebuild the federal authorities as a sustainability chief.”
In addition to the Pentagon, 30 different Defense Department websites are slated to obtain the panels, together with army installations such because the US Army Garrison in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Youngkin shared his issues with that plan, saying that “CCP-influenced or managed corporations dominate the worldwide photo voltaic provide chain,” requiring that the U.S. “require that purchases of the army for photo voltaic panels needs to be from confirmed home producers with dependable provide chains.”
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
PENTAGON TO INSTALL ROOFTOP SOLAR PANELS AS PART OF BIDEN CLEAN ENERGY PUSH
But the Pentagon clarified in its response that it’s going to adjust to the Buy American Act, telling Fox News Digital that it has a “rigorous and intensive oversight course of to make sure compliance with the legislation, home preferences and treaty companions.” of commerce carried out by the Federal Acquisition Regulation and for DOD, the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement.”
“Looking to the longer term, the Department is utilizing its appreciable buying energy to help the flexibility of the U.S. carbon-free vitality trade and associated business provide chains to develop quickly. and supply steady, various, clear vitality technology to help our warfighters,” a Pentagon spokesman stated.
The Pentagon is seen from Air Force One because it flies over Washington March 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
A spokesman for Youngkin’s workplace welcomed the information, saying the governor was “happy that Secretary Austin will comply with via on his suggestions to undertake ‘Made in America’ necessities for the acquisition of Chinese photo voltaic panels .”
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“It is essential that we acknowledge China’s intention to dominate the world at America’s expense, and it’s important for America to separate the renewable vitality sector from China and obtain vitality independence to guard our nationwide safety,” stated the spokesperson.
