A petition recently filed with the International Trade Commission by an Atlanta-based solar manufacturer could cause solar prices in the United States to skyrocket, raising thorny questions for those who care about free trade, reducing carbon emissions, or both.

The petition by Suniva — filed in April, shortly after the company also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy — isn’t a standard anti-dumping or illegal government subsidy case. Rather, Suniva, which has facilities in Michigan, relied on Section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974. Such filings, known as “safeguard” cases, are used when a domestic industry is seriously injured or threatened by imports.