The New War Between the States: Vying for Green-Energy Manufacturers

There seems to be a new inter-state battle  underway–a competition to attract makers of solar-panels, wind turbines, and other renewable- energy equipment.

According to the Greeninc blog,  such states as Oregon, New Mexico and Texas have been busily trying to lure manufacturers with tax incentives and other perks.  For their part, the manufacturers are also attracted by what they perceive to be a big and growing market, as well tax credits in Obama’s stimulus package.

Plus, in an effort to make themselves more tempting to manufacturers, Texas may introduce new incentives:

Other states are hoping to edge in on the competition. Texas is currently considering incentives in the state legislature that would boost the state’s use of solar power, and that could help lure plants.

Luke Bellsnyder, executive director of the Texas Association of Manufacturers, said that solar advocates “tell us constantly that panel manufacturer X or Y was looking to Texas, but decided to go to other states because they have a better R.P.S. or better incentives for production.” (R.P.S. refers to “renewable portfolio standard,” which is a target for renewable energy production.)

“I want solar manufacturers to come to Texas,” Mr. Bellsnyder added. “If we’re going to expand and have solar on the grid, as I think we can acknowledge, then let’s make sure they’re coming here.”

via Can Clean Energy Revive Manufacturing? – Green Inc. Blog – NYTimes.com.

Does this mean that a unique conglomeration of events–the recession, efforts to revive this country’s dying industrial base, the passage of the stimulus package, and increasing interest in renewable energy–could lead to a golden age of clean-energy manufacturing?

This is a war between the states I fully support. At the risk of sounding very corny, the winner will be all of us.