02 Feb
Fuel cell jobs growing, new biorefinery on the Green Jobcast #24
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The Green Jobcast, episode 24, is a short news segment with information about green jobs making headlines across the country. This week news on a new biorefinery plant in wisconsin, growing mkt for fuel cell jobs and new plans from Boone Pickens. (download mp3) (4 min)
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Lack of transmission lines has forced Boone Pickens to shift the location of a proposed wind farm from Texas to Minnesota and Canada. The legendary energy executive had hoped to break ground on the world’s largest wind farm in the Texas Panhandle in 2011 but has been forced to postpone any plans in the Lone Star State until such a time when the requisite transmission lines are put in place. The 81-year-old is the driving force behind the Pickens Plan, a comprehensive plan to end America’s dangerous addiction to foreign oil by utilizing domestic energy resources such as natural gas, nuclear power, and solar energy. Pickens is adamant in his belief in the opportunity afforded by wind energy – he has called the Great Plains “the Saudi Arabia of wind” – and will take delivery of 300 General Electric turbines in 2011 for use on wind farms in Minnesota and Canada. See other texas green jobs.
SEAL BEACH, Calif. – (Business Wire) Solar panel manufacturer Amonix (www.amonix.com) will create a total of 436 clean energy manufacturing jobs in Nevada and Arizona based on its award of $9.5 million in stimulus funding as part of the federal Recovery Act’s Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit. The company was granted $5.9 million for manufacturing work in Nevada, and $3.6 million for work in Arizona.
Amonix, headquartered in Seal Beach, California, designs and manufactures concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar power systems that require less water, use land better, and produce more energy per acre than any other solar technology. The stimulus funding will be used to expand permanent manufacturing operations in Nevada and Arizona.
The company will begin construction of its new manufacturing facility in Nevada by the end of 2010. When completed in the first half of 2011, that facility will create 269 new jobs for the state. The Arizona facility, which will create 167 new jobs, is pegged for a 2011 construction start, with completion scheduled by the end of that year.
Up to 700 000 ‘green’ manufacturing jobs could be created in the global fuel cell industry over the next decade, according to the latest Industry Review, Fuel Cells: Sustainability from the analysts at Fuel Cell Today. The 2010 Industry Review was launched today at the World Future Energy Summit’s Expert Showcase Seminar in Abu Dhabi. The 2010 Industry Review conservatively estimates that the manufacturing of fuel cells will see the largest growth in jobs in the next 10 years, with almost 700 000 cumulative jobs created in this time. In line with Fuel Cell Today’s projections of unit shipments over this period, this could see the creation of more than 1 million new jobs in total when fuel cell installation, servicing, and maintenance are included.
The Journal Sentinel is reporting that Plans are moving ahead to build a $250 million biorefinery that would make diesel and wax out of waste wood and other forms of biomass next to the Flambeau River Papers pulp and paper mill in Park Falls, WI. The Flambeau River biorefinery will create permanent, high-skilled operating jobs in the region, long-term logging jobs, and short-term engineering and construction jobs, contributing to the economic stimulus of Park Falls, Wisconsin, said Butch Johnson, majority owner of Flambeau River Papers and Flambeau River Biofuels. The project is expected to create 160 construction jobs, 40 permanent jobs running and supporting the biorefinery, as well as jobs for 125 loggers and truckers.
14 Jan
Electric car jobs in Indiana – Green Jobcast #23
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The Green Jobcast, episode 23, is a short news segment with information about green jobs making headlines across the country. This week news on a new electric car plant in Indiana, new green training initiatives and a biofuel plant in Georgia. (download mp3) (4 min)
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An electric car maker plans to open a factory in a northern Indiana plant that once made parts for recreational vehicles. The plant in Elkhart will be Think North America’s first in the U.S. and provide much-needed jobs in a city that has been struggling since the RV industry collapsed during the recession. Think North America, a subsidiary of Norwegian-based Think Global, projects its new factory could have 415 full-time jobs by 2013. Think Global currently makes its compact, two-door electric passenger cars at a plant in Finland.
The government is funneling nearly $100 million into training programs for green jobs, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis said today. The funds, part of a $500-million green workforce development initiative through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will go to 25 projects around the country.
The programs are designed to help workers find jobs — such as hybrid and electric auto technicians, weatherization specialists, wind and energy auditors, and solar panel installers — in growing energy-efficiency and renewable-energy industries.
The money will be parceled out in Energy Training Partnership Grants ranging from $1.4 million to $5 million each. Projects in communities affected by the restructuring in the auto industry will receive $28 million.
In texas The Central Texas area’s green work force is getting a boost from a different kind of green.
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett announced a $4.8 million grant Wednesday to train 1,000 local workers for jobs in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. The Central Texas plan, funded by the federal economic stimulus program, will train 1,000 workers for jobs at solar power plants in Austin and San Antonio and projects in nearby cities and states. The training will prepare workers for a variety of jobs, including in solar installation. The Austin IBEW will partner with ImagineSolar LLC, an Austin-based company that does job training for the solar energy industry, and the Austin Workforce Investment Board.
The training will begin as early as March and take place at JATC’s training facility in Southeast Austin over the following months.
Nebraska’s largely untapped wind-energy resources could create up to 40,000 jobs over the next two decades if a federal goal is met, according to a report. The report, done by the National Renewable Energy Lab for the Nebraska Energy Office, says that if a federal goal of having wind energy make up 20 percent of the U.S. energy supply by 2030 is met, 7,800 megawatts of wind energy would be produced in Nebraska. Up to 4,000 of the projected 40,000 jobs would be permanent jobs lasting as long as each wind facility operated, which is typically about two decades.
According to the Associated Press— Gov. Sonny Perdue says a biofuel demonstration plant will be built in Thomaston early next year. The plant is being developed by Diamond Alternative Energy and American Process Inc. It’s designed to show the commercial viability of alternative fuels. The governor says the plant will provide 25 to 30 jobs in Upson County and Atlanta.
Another solar business will be coming to the Mid-Hudson Valley NY in the near future.
The Mid Hudson News is reporting that Congressman Maurice Hinchey said the new company will add to the growing Solar Energy Consortium he has funded to the tune of millions of federal dollars.
“It will be a new business, a new company, and new jobs, that go above the 200 that we have already created and they will be in the context of the 1,000 we estimating over the next few years,” he said.
Last year Hinchey helped secure nearly $12 million for the consortium and its member companies, part of the $31 million he’s brought to the region since TSEC was created in 2007. that fundingis expected to start flowing into the region this year.
The article goes on to say that the TSEC has already created about 200 jobs, and that Hinchley is anticipating about 1,000 new jobs over the next few years,” he said.
15 Dec
Biggest windfarm in world coming to Oregon, Green Jobcast #21
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The Green Jobcast, episode 21, is a short news segment with information about green jobs making headlines across the country. This week news on the worlds biggest windfarm to be built in Oregon (download mp3) 3 minutes 45 sec
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“Green” jobs increased at close to three times the rate of total jobs in California between 1995 and 2008, according to a new report. The report, called “Many Shades of Green: Diversity and Distribution of California’s Green Jobs,” was releasedlast week by the nonpartisan organizations Next 10 and by Mountain View-based Collaborative Economics, a research and consulting firm. According to the report, as the California economy slowed between 2007 and 2008, total employment fell 1 percent, but green jobs grew by 5 percent.
Between 1995 and 2008, total jobs in California grew by 13 percent, while green jobs grew by 36 percent, from 117,000 to 159,000 jobs, and green businesses increased by 45 percent, according to the report.
Sacramento led the state with green job growth of 87 percent between 1995 and 2008, from 7,019 jobs in 1995 to 13,102 jobs in 2008. Sacramento was followed by San Diego (57 percent), the Bay Area (51 percent) and Orange County and Inland Empire (50 percent), according to the report.
General Electric has won a contract to build the biggest wind farm in the United States in Oregon. The wind farm will be located in Shepherds Flat, Oregon and when completed will be the biggest wind farm in operation in the world.
It will cover 30 square miles and will produce 845 megawatts of power, enough to power 235,000 homes. Shepherd Flats is located in the Northeast portion of Oregon. The construction phase will provide approximately 400 jobs during construction, but will provide less than 50 permanent jobs after completion.
In Michigan Saginaw County leaders are trying to attract a solar manufacturer’s project that could bring 500 jobs and a $250 million solar investment has gained a foothold.
Saginaw County leaders this week gave their blessing to efforts to obtain $10 million in state Community Development Block grants and set up a renaissance tax zone.
Norcross, Georgia-based Suniva wants to build a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing center if it can get state and federal grants and loans in a planned 235-acre renewable energy park at the northwest corner of M-52 and M-46 in Thomas Township.
New solar plant planned near Hinkley California
According to the Contra Cost Times Victorville energy company is planning to build a 250-megawatt solar electric plant near Hinkley, which will create dozens of news jobs and provide electricity for about 250,000 High Desert residents.
The Abengoa Mojave Solar plant will be built on a large swath of land nine miles northwest of Hinkley, north of Highway 58 and east of the Kramer Junction. It will employ 68 full-time workers, from top management down to unskilled laborers once it begins operation, said Percy Della, spokesman for the California Energy Commission. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2010, with a targeted completion date of fall 2012.
Payroll for the two-year construction project is estimated at $272 million, with about 830 workers on site per day and more than 1,100 workers on site at the peak of construction. Local expenditures during the construction phase are expected to be more than $100 million, Della said.
The Green Jobcast, episode 20, is a short news segment with information about green jobs making headlines across the country. This week news on wind jobs in Indiana and Pennsylnnia solar jobs (download mp3) 3 minutes
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The Philadelphia Inquirier is reporting that Pennsylvannia governor Rendell is expected to announce that a Greek solar-panel manufacturing company (Heliotechniki S.A) intends to build a production facility at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, a development that local officials hailed yesterday as an important step in positioning the city to be a key player in the emerging clean-energy economy. The plant is expected to create 400 to 500 jobs.
Also in Pennsylvannia, A company that makes cells that convert sunlight to energy wants to hire as many as 15 people at two locations near Pittsburgh. Solar Power Industries Inc. is based in Rostraver and already has about 250 employees. The company needs production and manufacturing workers at its headquarters and at a plant in East Huntingdon Township, both in Westmoreland County. The company has received $7.5 million in state aid for the plant and hopes to create 375 jobs over the next three years. They make solar cells, silicon ingots and solar modules used to turn sunlight into electric energy.
In Wind Power news
California-based WindStream Technologies Inc. plans to locate a development and production facility at Purdue Research Park of Southeast Indiana, state officials said Monday morning. The move is expected to create more than 260 jobs by 2012.
The startup company manufactures small-scale wind turbines called TurboMills, designed to capture wind energy in urban settings.
In Indiana…Windstream plans to invest millions to establish operations at the Purdue Technology Center in New Albany, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. said in a written release. The company plans to begin hiring assembly and distribution workers and professional staff as facility and equipment upgrades are made at the site.
A new wind-power blade manufacturing plant that will create an estimated 1,000 jobs is in the works, according to Dallas-based Tang Energy. The company is gearing up to supply blades for a $1.5 billion Texas wind farm. Today’s announcement is only the latest indication of the many positive effects on the U.S. economy of developing domestic energy sources.
U.S. Renewable Energy Group (led by Dallas investor Cappy McGarr), A-Power Energy Generation Systems Ltd. of Shenyang, China, and Cielo Wind Power LP of Austin plan to build a wind farm capable of generating more than 600 megawatts of electricity on 36,000 acres of land. According to the Dallas Morning News, the project calls for 240 Chinese-made turbines and 720 blades, each 157 feet long.
Site selection is already under way.
22 Oct
Solar projects and geothermal jobs – Green Jobcast #18
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The Green Jobcast, episode 18, is a short news segment with information about green jobs making headlines across the country. This week news on solar projects and geothermal jobs. (download mp3) 3 minutes
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First up… the Hartford business journal is reporting that Constellation Energy Group Inc. said today it will build a photovoltaic system to generate solar power at an entertainment complex adjacent to the New England Patriots’ stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
The power system will generate about 525 kilowatts at Patriot Place, the 1.3-million-square-foot entertainment, retail and dining complex next to the NFL team’s Gillette Stadium. Topping seven roofs, the power system will supply about 30 percent of Patriot Place’s power, Constellation said.
Construction is expected to begin in late October and will require installation of about 2,800 photovoltaic panels, the company said. The work is expected to be completed by the end of the year, spokesman Aaron Koos said.
Constellation Energy estimates the system will generate more than 12 million kilowatt hours of electricity over 20 years and will prevent the release of more than 8,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The company said that is equal to removing more than 1,600 cars from the road for a year.
A large scale solar energy project at Fort Irwin California is expected to create hundreds of jobs, but shovels won’t be hitting the ground for another two to three years. The solar sites will create up to 400 construction jobs and 350 jobs to maintain and operate the power plants over a 10-year period, according to Brian Crunk, project manager of Clark Energy Group, one of the two renewable energy developers working on the project.
The Arlington, Va.-based group has teamed with Acciona Solar Power, based in Madrid, Spain, which operates the massive Nevada Solar One power plants in Boulder City, Nev. Once completed, the solar power plants will be the Department of Defense’s largest ever solar energy project.
In Pennsylvannia the Daily Item is reporting that the Milton Borough Council planning commission approved a $32 million plan to build the largest solar farm east of the Mississippi River in a portion of the Milton Industrial Park. The proposed farm, to feature 26,000 solar panels, will produce enough daytime power for two businesses in the industrial park. The project will create 10 full-time jobs to design, build and operate the farm, 50 full-time local green support jobs, and five temporary jobs, to build the solar farm system.
A new geothermal plant in Idaho is providing electricity for 10,000 homes and heating up Idaho’s clean energy economy. Recent analysis by federal agencies documents the West’s extensive geothermal resources, estimating over 8,000 megawatts of electrical power could be generated from identified geothermal resources in the western United States. “Across the rural West, we can warm up the job market, grow our businesses, and heat up our economy with geothermal power,” said Bill Midcap, Director of Renewable Energy Development for the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.
The western United States has abundant geothermal resources. The recent federal report identified geothermal resources in all 12 western states. The report found that the “hottest resources” where “commercial electric generation would most likely occur” include central and northern Nevada, western Utah, and southern and central Idaho.
The Green Jobcast, episode 17, is a short news segment with information about green jobs making headlines across the country. This week news on solar jobs and wind jobs. (download mp3) 3 minutes
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Governor Jennifer M. Granholm has announced a significant addition to Michigan’s burgeoning clean-energy industrial base as Georgia-based Suniva Inc. will invest $250 million in a new solar manufacturing facility in Saginaw County’s Thomas Township. Suniva will create 500 new jobs over the next five years subject to receiving a Department of Energy loan guarantee, which the company recently applied for.
Also in Michigan…Dow Chemical has been working on a solar shingle for a couple of years now, and Monday, the company said it was ready to test market the product. If it works, it would turn any home that uses them into a mini power station. It could also bring jobs to Mid-Michigan. Dow Solar Solutions currently employs 60 people, but if this product does what the company believes it can do, there could be several hundred jobs to follow. The solar shingles have been produced at Dow’s Solar Solution facility, and it’s possible shingles like these will be in limited use next year.
We’ve got a few new green jobs to tell you about, first on Jobs in Solar Power, Clean Energy Constructors (Phoenix, Arizona) has an opening for Senior Solar Photovoltaic Electrical Installer – Perform duties of a commercial Senior PV Electrical Installer for Clean Energy Constructors (CEC). You must possess the skills necessary to plan, organize and perform all PV installation activities, such as, racking/panel mounting, equipment & metering installation, substation breaker installation, and associated DC/AC conduit & wire installation. You must be able to meet with clients to coordinate the completion of the roof-top or ground mount arrays.
Unirac, Inc. (Albuquerque, New Mexico) is seeking a Structural engineer job. Highly successful, rapid growing solar module racking manufacturer seeking Structural Engineer to provide technical support for the Custom Solutions Group. Responsibilities will include heavy emphasis on structural analysis and design of racking components and systems for a variety of standard and custom configurations, interpretation and application of building codes, and extensive interaction with customers. Bachelor’s degree in structural engineering with a minimum of eight (8) years of progressive design experience is required. Experience in the design of cold-formed steel for structural applications and knowledge of construction practices and standards is strongly desired.
And in Sullivan County NY, Sullivan County Community College is looking for Wind Turbine Technology Faculty. Instructor needed to implement a curriculum in Wind Turbine Technology in spring 2010 and teach major classes starting in August 2010. The instructor will assist in recruiting and marketing activities and teach additional courses appropriate to experience until the curriculum is fully implemented.
Qualifications include a Master’s degree (strongly preferred) or Bachelor’s degree with demonstrated equivalent industry experience in operating and maintaining large and small wind turbines (required).
The Green Jobcast, episode 16, is a short news segment with information about green jobs making headlines across the country. (download mp3) 3 minutes
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Sponsored by Jobs in Solar Power & Jobs in Wind Power.
TRANSCRIPT
Hartford-based Northeast Utilities’ Western Massachusetts Electric Co. unit is soliciting site proposals as well as contractors and suppliers to build New England’s first large-scale solar energy system.
WMECo plans to install up to 3 megawatts of photovoltaic facilities during 2010 and will begin its solicitation of potential sites in the coming weeks. Up to six megawatts of solar facilities will be built — enough to power 6,000 homes. Construction is expected to begin in early 2010.
In Colorado E2Logicx Solar is planning to create 130 new jobs when it opens a new manufacturing facility and its world headquarters in Brush. The 18-month construction period for the new facility is expected to begin in late winter of 2010. the plant would fill many of its 130 permanent positions through creating internship and job-training programs.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair wants world leaders meeting this week at the UN to know that by reducing global warming they could be creating 10 million new green jobs – Blair stated that the 10 million new jobs would stem from initiatives to cut greenhouse gases. He released the report in New York showing that a global climate agreement could increase the world’s GDP by 0.8 percent by 2020, as compared to doing nothing.
In Tipton County Indiana,… 3 separate governing bodies approved a set of incentives that keep the county in the running for Apex, a solar-energy company that could create hundreds of jobs.
The county commissioners, county council and redevelopment commission OK’d a resolution that spells out incentives the county will offer to land the company. The firm is interested in the vacant Getrag Transmission Manufacturing LLC building at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Indiana 28. Officials say Apex would invest $450 million in property improvements and equipment and create 850 jobs.
More Wind Power = More U.S. Jobs according to a new Report: The rapidly growing U.S. wind industry could well create new manufacturing opportunities and restore jobs lost in the recent economic downturn, according to a new report by researchers at Duke University’s Center for Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness (CGGC).
Global wind capacity has grown at an average rate of 30% per year over the past decade and the United States is currently the world leader in producing wind power. The report entitled, “Wind Power: Generating Electricity and Employment,” reveals hidden economic opportunities that exist within the supply chains that provide parts and labor for the wind power industry.
“Every time a wind power project is installed it creates jobs, not only in the manufacturing sector, but also for structural engineers, surveyors, mechanics, sheet metal workers, machinists, truck drivers, construction equipment operators and wind turbine operators,” the reports author noted.
Website: www.cggc.duke.edu/environment/climatesolutions/
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