Compiled from news sources around the country, Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) brings you the latest bi-weekly wrap-up of job announcements and project developments in the clean economy. This edition highlights a number of solar, wind and transportation projects throughout the nation.

CLEAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENTS

Rockwood Lithium inaugurated its expanded facility in Kings Mountain, NC. The $75 million expansion project will allow the company to hire more than 100 new full-time employees. The project received a $28.8 million Department of Energy Recovery Act grant.

First Solar announced that construction on the Campo Verde Solar project is set to begin in Q3 2012. The company estimates that 250-350 construction jobs will be created.

back to top

CLEAN ENERGY NEWS

Retailers, led by Ikea, make big moves into on-site renewable, via E&E Publishing, http://www.eenews.net/public/climatewire/2012/07/13/1, July 13, 2012

Big-box furniture retailer Ikea announced several weeks ago that two of its new solar installations atop distribution centers in Maryland and New Jersey will produce nearly 5 MW of electricity, and be two of the East Coast's largest solar installations to be built this year. These types of large-scale installations aren't unique to Ikea's northeast operations; the retailer operates 22 solar systems in the U.S., and is developing 17 more to bring its generation capacity to 38 MW. What sets Ikea's renewable energy development aside, however, is that the corporation has complete ownership over the energy it produces, rather than entering into a purchase power agreement with a utility. Recognizing both the economic and PR benefits that come with large-scale renewable energy generation, other big-box retailers, including Wal-Mart, Coca-Cola, Kohls, among others, are following suit, and increasing the share of electricity they get from renewables.

Ports CEO: Clean Energy Fueling Growth via Inside Indiana Business, http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=54448, June 25, 2012

Indiana's ports are seeing an increase in economic activity, a trend that can partially be attributed to its growing renewable energy industry. Business activities at Indiana's three ports, which include steel-making, manufacturing, construction, wind power, agriculture, alternative fuels and electric utilities, contributed $6.38 billion to the state economy in 2011, supporting more than 51,000 jobs. These numbers represent an 18% increase from 2009. Rich Cooper, CEO for the ports, recognizes that clean energy projects have "had a positive impact on Indiana's ports."

back to top

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT

Ventower Industries is a manufacturer and supplier of utility-scale wind turbine towers. Located in Monroe, Michigan on a revitalized brownfield site, the company, which began production late last year, is adding a strong economic boost to the region: in addition to the 60 fulltime workers it currently employs, with plans to hire approximately 100 more as it approaches full production capacity, it sources its steel from domestic suppliers, keeping money within U.S. borders. Ventower's location on the shores of Lake Erie gives it access to local and international export markets, and the company recently completed a contract with Aeronautica Windpower supplying its towers for a wind project at Ohio schools.

For more information on Ventower Industries, please visit http://www.ventower.com/

back to top

NORTHEAST REGION

Company Name: GE Transportation Jobs Added: 100 full-time jobs Location: Schenectady, NY District: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D), Sen. Charles Schumer (D), Rep. Paul Tonko (D-21) Sector: Manufacturing (Energy Storage) Status: Announced Notes: General Electric announced effectively double production at its Schenectady, NY advanced sodium battery plant; the $70 million investment will allow the company to initially add 100 new positions, expanding to 450 when it reaches full capacity; Schenectady County contributed $5 million in assistance and tax breaks.

back to top

MIDWEST REGION

Company Name: Invenergy Jobs Added: 250 construction jobs Location: Vermilion County, IL and Champaign County, IL District: Sen. Richard Durbin (D), Sen. Mark Kirk (R), Rep. Timothy Johnson (R-15) Sector: Generation (Wind) Status: In Operation Notes: Located northwest of Danville, Ill, Invenergy's 200W California Ridge Wind farm is currently under construction; the 134-turbine project will generate enough energy to power 65,000 homes; completion is scheduled for Q4 2012.

back to top

SOUTHEAST REGION

Company Name: Rockwood Lithium Jobs Added: 100 full-time jobs Location: Kings Mountain, NC District: Sen. Richard Burr (R), Sen. Kay Hagan (D), Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-10) Sector: Manufacturing (Electric Vehicles) Status: In Progress Notes: Rockwood Lithium recently inaugurated its expanded lithium production facility in Kings Mountain, NC; the $75 million will allow the company to increase the domestic production of raw and processed lithium materials, used in the production of lithium-ion batteries; the project was partially supported by a $28.8 million DOE Recovery Act grant and is expected to create more than 100 full-time jobs.

back to top

WEST REGION

Company Name: Paramount Solar
Jobs Added: 60 full-time jobs
Location: Roseville, CA
District: Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D), Sen. Barbara Boxer (D), Rep. Tom McClintock (R-4)
Sector: Generation (Solar)
Status: Announced
Notes: Paramount Solar, a residential solar company, announced that is looking to hire 60 new full-time employees; the company's "60 jobs in 60 days", offers jobs ranging from entry level to experienced sales positions to operations management posts.

Company Name: RevoluSun
Jobs Added: 12 full-time jobs
Location: Kailua Kona, HI
District: Sen. Daniel Inouye (D), Sen. Daniel Akaka (D), Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-2)
Sector: Generation (Solar)
Status: In Progress
Notes: RevoluSun, a leading solar electric company, announced that it recently moved into a new 1,800 sq ft warehouse in the Big Island, HI; the company plans to hire up to 12 full-time employees to man the facility.

Company Name: Venus Motors Company; BH Workman & Sons; FiberFab
Jobs Added: 10 full-time jobs
Location: Bend, OR
District: Sen. Jeff Merkley (D), Sen. Ron Wyden (D), Rep. Greg Walden (R-2)
Sector: Sector: Manufacturing (Electric Vehicles)
Status: Announced
Notes: Venus Motors Company, an electric carmaker, announced that it received a grant from the USDA to assist in creating a small EV supply chain in central Oregon.

Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2) is a national community of business leaders who promote sound environmental policy that builds economic prosperity. E2 is the independent business voice for the environment. We provide a non-partisan resource for understanding the business perspective on environmental issues. Working with our public and private partners, E2 advocates for state and national policy that's good for the economy and good the environment. www.E2.org

For more information, please contact E2 communications director Bob Keefe at bkeefe@nrdc.org. To submit a project, please contact E2 at info@e2.org.

CEJN Archives can be found here: http://www.e2.org/jsp/controller?docName=cleanjobs.