MDV-SEIA Statement on Racial Injustice and Building an Equitable Solar Industry
For Immediate Release
Black Lives Matter – MDV-SEIA Statement on Racial Injustice and Building an Equitable Solar Industry
WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 2, 2020
The culmination of the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sean Reed and the many other Black lives wrongfully killed at the hands of our police force or those once tied to it, illustrate how far our country is from racial justice and the fair and equal treatment of people.
Over the past couple of months, the global spread of the Coronavirus has exacerbated these systemic inequities in our country, exposing the long overdue need to reform our systems and policies that perpetuate racial inequality.
The solar industry was built on the foundational premise of empowerment and bettering our local communities, and we will not stand by in silence. MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industry Association (MDV-SEIA) condemns racial violence and racism in all forms. We stand ready, as an industry, to deeply examine and address our own shortfalls and to ensure that we, as an entire ecosystem are proactively creating diverse, inclusive, and equitable working conditions, workplaces and teams at all levels of our organizations. We call on every member of the solar industry to join us in this work. We are grateful for our partnerships that address structural inequities, as well as state policies that broaden access to solar energy and careers in this industry.
We add our voices to the national call demanding justice, equality and healing and with those advocating for systemic changes that would dismantle institutionalized racism.
As we continue to advocate for the crucial role the solar industry will play in rebuilding our nation’s economy, MDV-SEIA commits itself and our industry to ensuring that racial justice and equal opportunity for all is at the core of our work.
###
ABOUT MDV-SEIA:
Maryland D.C. Virginia Solar Energy Industry Association (MDV-SEIA) is the second-largest state affiliate of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) with over 160 member organizations, representing over 10,000 solar jobs in the region. Through direct advocacy, policy formation, regulatory intervention and market representation, MDV-SEIA strives to develop and implement strong solar policies to ensure continued market formation for all solar segments in this region and beyond.
MEDIA CONTACT:
David Murray, Executive Director
Rachel Smucker, Virginia Policy and Development Manager MD-DC-VA Solar Energy Industry Association director@mdvseia.org
C: 717-682-2751
