Delaware Governor chases jobs with clean energy push

Delaware Jack Markell sees the economic potential in renewable energy

Delaware’s Governor, Jack Markell, said this week that he will seek legislation to establish 300MW of new solar capacity and 1,000MW of new wind capacity in the state by 2029.

In a bid to create local renewable energy industry jobs, the Governor said he would support a Clean Energy Jobs Act to bring in new solar photovoltaic projects and offshore wind turbines.

He anticipated that the move would support “hundreds” of new solar jobs and potentially as many as 1,000 new construction jobs and 150 long-term operation and maintenance positions for utility-scale wind projects.

The Act would increase the amount of renewable energy consumption in Delaware by adding a new longer-term target to the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard.

The Governor said he would seek a 30% goal by 2029. At the moment, the state is pushing for a 20% target set for 2019.

The development of renewable energy projects in Delaware itself would be underpinned by a “local generation component” within the RPS amendment planned by Gov Markell.

Jobs

“The purpose of the initiative – the Delaware Clean Energy Jobs Act – is simple: to create quality jobs, expand local manufacturing and establish Delaware as a national leader in the adoption of renewable energy,” Gov Markell said.

Governor Markell visited Newark-based solar company Motech Americas this week to reveal his plans for a stronger RPS. The company employs more than 70 people at present, and expects to hire another 75 by the end of 2010.

The Governor believes his legislation will encourage jobs in a variety of skilled trades, from electricians and electrical engineers to steel fabricators, factory workers, IT specialists, solar installers, wind turbine technicians, training providers and other support service personnel.

“We are working closely with our neighboring states to create a vibrant mid-Atlantic clean energy market, but we also want to maximize capital investment and quality jobs in Delaware. We can move more rapidly, respond to opportunities more quickly and get people back to work,” Gov Markell said.