The Department of Energy has revealed details of 35 clean energy projects funded for a total of $1.93 billion in 20 states, including North Carolina.
“We're looking globally to determine where to build these factories and where to make our products,” said Rich Fallberg, president of Siemens North America. “If there's no incentive, there's a good chance they'll go elsewhere.”
Business incentives from the likes of Siemens are strengthening the domestic supply chain, as 90% of the electricity we consume goes through transformers and 80% is currently imported.
“Many of the components needed for the transition to clean energy are primarily produced in China. China has had a strategic industrial policy to corner the market on this and we will say no more. We're going to do it here,” Granholm said. . ”
These projects are part of President Joe Biden's Investment in America Plan and are funded through the Qualified Advanced Energy Project Credit (48C), which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate clean energy production. .
“These investments are being made across the country, and it will help speed our transition and keep these jobs from going overseas,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said.
Since 2020, North Carolina has added more than 67,000 clean energy jobs and brought in more than $42 billion in capital, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. More than 400 factories announced expansion plans during this period.
“Fighting climate change is not only the right thing to do, it will put money in families' pockets,” Cooper said.
Granholm toured Wake Tech's Hendrick Automotive Center of Excellence, where students are learning to repair electric vehicles and install chargers. Workplace training programs are expanding to meet the growing demand for workers in the clean energy sector.
The Department of Energy says some of the federal funding will go to what it calls “energy communities” to spur growth in areas where coal-fired power plants and mines are closing.
