[The Vector] Renewable Energy News From Around the Country
Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Consortium
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and 10 U.S. States recently announced the creation of the Atlantic Offshore Wind Energy Consortium, dedicated to promoting the development of wind energy on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
Salazar said, “Appropriate development of the Outer Continental Shelf wind power will enhance regional and national energy security and create American jobs…” He added that the newly named Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOE) will oversee development of wind energy in the OCS. The states involved are Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Virginia.
Solar Power is Reinventing Toledo
Here’s the story of how Toledo is converting itself from a former Rust Belt city to a modern solar-energy hub has been led by a partnership of business, government and academia. So far, 6,000 people work in the area’s solar industry. First Solar, a leading edge company that makes solar panels, was founded in Toledo and employs 1,000 in its 900,000 square foot facility. Toledo is also home to two other big solar energy companies: Willard Kelsey, and Xunlight. More than a dozen solar-related companies have gravitated to where the action is. And the University of Toledo is home to top solar researchers, and provides business services to entrepreneurs. It reports graduating four solar companies and is currently working with six more. It also starts the equivalent of an MBA this fall for students in physics or engineering who want to run solar companies. In addition, Owens Community College has trained 255 solar installers. They had 13 students in their first solar class in 2004.
On June 30th, the Ohio governor decided to create a solar energy innovation hub in Toledo. Ohio is committing about $250,000 to help make this region known worldwide as a leader in the solar industry. Gov. Ted Strickland said, “We’re focusing on solar right now because of the history and current activities.” (WTVG-TV Toledo, June 30th, 2010.)
Once known as a center for railroads, factories, glass companies and auto parts makers, these traditional industries and jobs started receding in the 1980’s. The seeds of the solar hub are credited to a physicist, the late Harold McMaster, who founded Glasstech Solar in 1984, then Solar Cells which worked with the University of Toledo scientists. His company was sold and became First Solar. It went public in 2006 (at $20 per share), described as a defining moment. First Solar employs more than 4,700 worldwide and had an annual production capacity in excess of 1.3 gigawatts in the U.S., Germany and Malaysia.
The University said they started with solar energy education and research, added incubation, then commercialization and then moved to economic development. Regional businesses and government joined in on a steering transformation and cooperated at every level. Their Regional Growth Partnership has a venture fund that has helped 68 companies in solar and other alternative energy fields, according to its President Steve Weathers.
Solar is putting Toledo in good stead and on the map. How many other communities and cities can follow suit?
Electric Car Company, Inc.
Electric Car Company, Inc. (OTCBB: ELCR), a company that specializes in vehicle electric conversions and manufacturing of fleet markets, has entered into an agreement with Liberty Electric Cars, LLC. They are combining their expertise and plan to produce zero emission pure electric cars. The joint venture will initially focus on conversion of large luxury 4X4 vehicles, such as the Range Rover, says their press release (Globe Newswire, June 15, 2010). They state that the major focus on the EV industry has been small city cars, and they have developed revolutionary technologies to enable larger electric vehicles with a 200 mile range on a 6-hour charge. Performance of 0 t0 60 mph in less than 6 seconds and a top speed of 110 mph is possible, says the press release.
The U.S. Department of Labor
The U.S. Department of Labor is granting $9 million dollars and 22 grants to military veterans for renewable energy job training. Assistant Labor Secretary Raymond Jefferson said that these grants will help provide 4,000 veterans with training for renewable energy jobs.
Walmart Foundation
The Walmart Foundation has issued a grant of $500,000 to Veterans Green Jobs, a Colorado nonprofit devoted to job creation and training in green tech jobs. This is the second grant the Foundation has made to the nonprofit, totaling $1,249,000 since 2008. About 120 jobs have been created as a result of the funding so far.
