The recent announcements and imposition of tariffs on billions of dollars of goods imported by the United States, as well as reciprocal tariffs announced by countries and other governing bodies across the world, have created an uncertain future for many industries. The energy sector is not immune, as the Trump administration seeks to bring critical infrastructure manufacturing back home. At the same time, the Trump administration’s America-first policy initiatives present a unique opportunity for energy manufacturers to reposition themselves in both global and domestic markets. The solar energy industry is at a unique crossroads. Domestic solar production saw record-breaking growth in 2024, building on years of an expanding footprint. And although the American solar energy industry continues to rely on a globalized supply chain for components critical to the domestic manufacturing of solar panels, US manufacturers have made significant progress toward satisfying domestic solar demands.
Statute of Repose at a Crossroads: Pennsylvania Supreme Court to Decide the Future of Construction Liability
Pennsylvania’s statute of repose, enacted in 1976, has long provided construction industry participants with finality by barring claims related to construction defects raised more than 12 years after the completion of construction. However, the bright-line application of the Pennsylvania statute of repose is now under review by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Federal Circuit Court of Appeals Issues Ruling Deeming Tariffs Under IEEPA Unlawful
On August 29, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit affirmed a ruling by the U.S. Court of International Trade, holding that President Trump overstepped the authority provided by Congress under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs aimed at addressing drug trafficking, illegal migration, and international trade imbalances. The court deemed unlawful those tariffs imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China meant to curb the flow of illicit drugs and illegal migration, and reciprocal tariffs imposed on dozens of countries throughout the world to curb trade imbalances (collectively, the IEEPA Tariffs).
Navigating the Solar Industry’s Path Through Tariffs and Growth
In 2024, the solar energy generation industry experienced its largest-ever annual rise globally, fueled by China’s 44% solar output boost from January to November 2024.[1] Solar energy output also continues to expand domestically, with the U.S. generating approximately 283 terawatt-hours in 2024, comprising a 14.7% share of the global market. In fact, domestically, solar energy now accounts for more than half of all new electricity on the grid, and, with a continued focus on renewable energy, is projected to continue to grow.[2]
Discovery (Disclosure) in US Construction Arbitration
Accreditation: An extract from Thomas Reuters Practical Law. The full document is available at https://content.next.westlaw.com/practical-law/document/Ia6598a02a95a11ee8921fbef1a541940/Discovery-Disclosure-in-US-Construction-Arbitration.
Troutman Pepper attorneys Albert Bates, Zach Torres-Fowler, and Jamey Collidge published a Practice Note explaining key issues in the discovery (disclosure) process of a domestic US construction arbitration, such as conducting disclosure in an
COVID-19 and Remobilization: Returning to the Construction Site Without Mandated COVID-19 Restrictions
This article summarizes the current landscape in Pennsylvania and California as COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, and highlights important considerations for employers in the construction industry in relation to vaccines and navigating a post-mask mandate world.
COVID-19 and Border Crossings: Considerations and Best Practices for Global Constructors and Suppliers Crossing US, Canadian, and European Borders
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the construction industry, and many countries continue to implement new or more stringent restrictions on entry into their borders. Those travel restrictions can impact any company with cross-border supply chains or employee travel. This article addresses some of the travel restrictions in place in the United States, Canada, and members of the European Union (EU); exceptions to those requirements; and some best practices when navigating across borders.
Governor Wolf’s Life-Sustaining Business Orders and Waiver Process Under Fire
Gov. Wolf’s businesses closure orders and the business waiver process recently came under fire from the Western District of Pennsylvania Federal Court and the Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. Gov. Wolf’s prior orders forced nearly all activities of the construction industry to cease in-person operations.
The WeChat Ban: Where We Are Now and How May It Impact International Construction, Manufacturers, and Equipment Suppliers
Updated October 27, 2020
On August 6, President Trump issued an executive order banning WeChat, a Chinese app developed by parent company Tencent Holdings Ltd. that combines the capabilities of other social media, ride sharing, and payment apps. The ban could potentially affect all forms of businesses, including global construction, manufacturers, and equipment suppliers performing business in China and the U.S. WeChat, with its over one billion users, is indispensable to some businesses, especially to those in China because mobile payment apps like WeChat reign supreme over other payment forms, and WeChat is now used as a primary means to communicate.
Level 10 Construction v. Sea World LLC: Can Force Majeure Save Sea World?
On June 8, 2020, Level 10 Construction, LP (“Level 10”), a construction company hired by Sea World San Diego (“Sea World”), filed a Complaint in California federal court alleging that Sea World is withholding over $3.2 million dollars in payments from Level 10. In the Complaint, Level 10 alleged that Sea World has declined to issue payments until the Sea World park reopens. Sea World has remained closed since March 2020 due to COVID-19.