by Barrie Barber , 12/17/08
President-elect Barack Obama's drive to repower
the nation through alternative energy could generate solar
industry growth in mid-Michigan, economic and political
leaders hope.
Thomas Township-headquartered Hemlock Semiconductor's Corp.
announced Monday it will add up to a $1 billion expansion to
manufacture polycrystalline silicon, or polysilicon, at its
Geddes Road operations in Thomas Township and will open a $1.2
billion plant in Clarksville, Tenn. Polysilicon is a super
pure, rock-like material solar panel and computer chip makers
use.
Dow Corning also plans for a new plant next to HSC in Thomas
Township to produce monosilane gas, which creates a thin film
on glass and helps convert sunlight into energy.
Obama's call to expand alternative energy should mean more
jobs, leaders hope.
"If he does what is in his energy platform, I'm going to be
extremely pleased," said Stephanie A. Burns, president and
chief executive officer of Midland-headquartered Dow Corning
Corp., majority owner of HSC.
In his campaign platform, Obama declared he would invest $150
billion over a decade in clean energy and ensure 10 percent of
electricity is generated from renewable sources within four
years and 25 percent by 2025. He's also called for greenhouse
gas emissions reductions of 80 percent by mid-century.
"There is a commitment to renewable energy like we have not
seen before," Democratic Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm said at an
HSC expansion announcement at Saginaw Valley State University.
U.S. Rep. Dave Camp said federal and state governments should
pass tax credits to encourage residential and commercial use
of solar power.
"We really are on the cutting edge of both the manufacture as
well as the development of solar in Michigan," the Midland
Republican said. "Any emphasis on these alternative fuels will
benefit the solar industry. There's a huge federal role to
play here in renewable energy and solar is certainly a part of
that." Michigan gave HSC up to a $350 million energy tax
credit over 12 years for the latest expansion.
There's a limit, though, on how much the state can afford,
said State Sen Roger N. Kahn, a Saginaw Township Republican.
"I don't think any Legislature is going to give tax credits to
infinity," Kahn said. "There has to be some evidence of result
at the end of that and the results I'm looking for are jobs
for our people."
State Rep. Kenneth B. Horn said the president-elect's
initiative is a "mixed bag."
The emphasis will pump up solar energy, the Frankenmuth
lawmaker said, but he sees a need to power up new nuclear
plants and clean coal technology plants in Michigan to meet
energy demand, too.
Fellow GOP Rep. John R. Moolenaar of Midland agreed.
The Republican duo also said fewer regulatory burdens and
lower corporate taxes are key as well.
"Michigan needs to be more nimble in dealing with big ideas
like alternative energy," Horn said.
source
Read More......
