Wind Energy To Bring Manufacturing Jobs to Detroit

[Towntalk]

Now why didn't you think of this Dennis?

California's next source of renewable power could be an orbiting set of solar panels, high above the equator, that would beam electricity back to Earth via a receiving station in Fresno County.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/04/14/MN7S171PSL.DTL

Or this?

To reduce the electrical draw from TVs, the commission has proposed the nation's first mandatory energy limits on televisions - limits that many large LCD and plasma TVs on the market do not meet.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/04/14/MNT516V87T.DTL

[irishbobcat]

Wind Energy To Bring Manufacturing Jobs to Detroit

Wind turbine manufacturer Global Wind Systems announced today that it will be hiring 250 new employees to work in the company's new wind turbine assembly plant in Novi, Michigan, thirty miles west of Detroit. The news brings a ray of hope for a regional economy struggle under the weight of a sinking auto industry.
In December, Global Wind Systems received $7.3 million in tax credits from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority in December to create 256 direct jobs over six years. Founder and CEO of Global Wind Systems, Chris Long told the Detroit News that he hopes to almost double that number of jobs in just two years.
·   » See also: Fuel-Cell Firm Lilliputian Raises Cash, Keeps Mum About Commercial Launch Date
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The current economic slowdown being felt across the country may have hit Detroit before anywhere else in the United States — and it hit hard. By February, Michigan's unemployment rate topped the 12% mark, the highest in the country and the highest in Michigan since 1984, and there were even reports that you could buy a Home in Detroit for $40.
The problem in Michigan has been compounded (or lead) by the fact that the Big Three are simply not selling as many cars and trucks as they used to. But as waves of massive layoffs and job cuts sweep through the auto industry, there is at least one other industry that just might be able to prosper in Detroit's economic environment — and that is the wind energy industry.
Fortunately for companies like Global Wind Systems, there is already a labor force in place and well-versed in manufacturing. Of the thousands of applications already received for the Novi plant, CEO Long said ninety percent listed automotive experience.

Will Ohio be last again in jumping on new renewable energy manufacturing?

Dennis Spisak
Mahoning Valley Green Party
Ohio Green Party

www.ohiogreens.org
www.votespisak.org/thinkgreen/