Will Biden's green jobs policy help him win votes?

In Dalton, Georgia, a town once known for its carpet industry, a significant transformation is underway. Qcells, a Korean company, is investing $2. 5 billion to expand its solar panel factory in the area, with plans to create 2,500 new jobs within the next year. This initiative is part of a broader effort to revitalize regions of the US that have seen better days. The driving force behind this transformation is President Joe Biden's landmark 2022 legislation, which offers substantial tax incentives, credits, and loans to boost American manufacturing in clean energy. This law, the most ambitious climate legislation in US history, has spurred a wave of private sector investments with far-reaching implications. Georgia, a key battleground state in the upcoming presidential election, has been a major beneficiary of these investments. Despite the influx of new investment, President Biden's support in the state has not seen a significant boost. His message is that addressing climate change can also create jobs. Since the law's passage, over 300,000 clean energy jobs have been created in the US, according to the advocacy group Climate Power. In Dalton, this is evident as foreign and government funds are being used to combat climate change and build a middle-class economy. Scott Moskowitz, head of market strategy for Qcells, notes that the law has been a significant catalyst for their expansion. Without it, the current growth might not have occurred. He points out that the investment in solar and clean energy manufacturing in the past two years has surpassed that of the previous two decades. However, this message has not resonated with many locals, including some Democrats. Jan Pourquoi, spokesperson for the local Whitfield County Democratic Party and a small business owner, mentions that there is resentment in the business community towards Qcells. He explains that local businesses feel overlooked as they do not receive the same government support. Pourquoi, who switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party after Trump's election in 2016, adds that clean energy is not a priority for many in the area. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the Republican congressional representative for the district, has praised Qcells' expansion despite voting against the law that facilitated it. This has created some awkward dynamics for Republicans. If they win big in the upcoming Congressional elections, parts of President Biden's climate law could be repealed, potentially jeopardizing the clean energy boom in various communities. Kasey Carpenter, a Republican member of the Georgia House of Representatives, downplays the potential impact of rolling back manufacturing tax credits on Qcells. He believes the solar investments in his district would remain unaffected. However, he acknowledges that if clean energy investments were at risk, they would engage with the Trump team. Carpenter also expresses pride in the possibility of Dalton becoming the 'solar panel capital of the world,' although China currently holds that title, controlling 80% of the global solar panel supply chain. China has been heavily investing in renewable energy for years and is expected to spend $675 billion in 2024. To compete, governments worldwide are also investing heavily in green industries. The US is projected to spend $315 billion on clean energy in 2024. The Biden administration is strategically directing these investments into states that typically vote Republican, aiming to spark a manufacturing revival before the presidential election. For workers at the Qcells factory, this shift has been transformative. Alan Rodriguez, who previously worked in a carpet mill, now holds a position on the engineering team at Qcells. He describes the job as significantly better, with a cleaner work environment. President Biden is counting on individuals like Rodriguez to help sway red states in his favor in the upcoming election.