HARRISBURG – Noting Pennsylvania’s achievements in promoting renewable energy technologies, Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty accepted the Apollo Alliance “All the Right Stuff” Award this week on behalf of Gov. Edward G. Rendell and the commonwealth.
“In Pennsylvania, we’re turning environmental challenges and the rising demands for energy into economic opportunities,” McGinty told a crowd of more than 3,000 people. “At Governor Rendell’s direction, we’ve successfully brought some of the world’s leading clean and renewable technology firms to Pennsylvania, adding more than 2,500 jobs in this rapidly growing industry. This approach has improved our ability to meet growing energy demands with solutions that are produced within our borders, ultimately leading Pennsylvania down a path of energy independence.”
Since January 2003, Rendell has established Pennsylvania as a leader in the development and deployment of alternative energy solutions. Through smart investments in wind, solar and biofuel projects across the state, Pennsylvania has leveraged nearly $1 billion in new investments from the alternative energy industry.
Leading international firms have chosen to establish operations in Pennsylvania based on the state’s commitment to the industry. Since Rendell took office, the world’s largest solar power integration company in the world, Conergy, and the second largest wind turbine manufacturer, Gamesa, have chosen Pennsylvania as the base for their North American headquarters. Gamesa has also established two manufacturing facilities —one in Cambria County, the other in Bucks County. Together, the commitments by the two companies will result in more than 1,000 new jobs and more than $200 million in new investments.
This year, SunTechnics — a subsidiary of Conergy — merged with Pennsylvania-based Mesa Environmental Sciences Inc., while start-up solar material manufacturer AE Polysilicon and Axion Power International Inc — a leader in the development of advanced batteries and energy storage devices — announced plans to locate in the state. Combined, these projects account for more than $100 million in new investment in the state and the potential for hundreds of new jobs.
“Governor Rendell’s leadership is giving Pennsylvania a competitive advantage in the manufacture of cutting-edge, clean-energy technologies,” McGinty said. “These new industries are investing in Pennsylvania and creating jobs. And once the Governor’s Energy Independence Strategy is adopted, Pennsylvania will be among the top tier of states working to reduce consumer energy costs, and significantly expand the alternative fuel, clean energy and conservation sectors.”
The Energy Independence Strategy calls for $850 million in new investments in this field by leveraging state resources to attract up to $3.5 billion to Pennsylvania and create as many 13,000 jobs.
The strategy will save consumers $10 billion in energy costs over the next decade, reduce Pennsylvania’s reliance on foreign fuels, and increase the state’s clean energy production capacity.
McGinty accepted the award at the Take Back America Conference in Washington DC, which focuses on creating jobs while tackling environmental challenges.