Author: Sue Kateley

In the aftermath of a decisive win for clean energy last week, supporters of the status quo have resorted to more distortions and name-calling, claiming the promise of green jobs was a lie. I am not surprised by this uneducated and irresponsible statement, as it just a sampling of the misinformation that was disseminated by proponents of Proposition 23 during the election campaign.

For example, despite Ms. Kerns’ claims, Solyndra isn’t shutting down its plant – the company is consolidating its operations and is sticking to its plans to increase production next year. (Source)

Let me offer a few additional facts about a California industry actually creating jobs in the midst of this economic downturn. Hundreds of solar companies – contractors, distributors, and manufacturers – throughout California have been growing their businesses, mostly without fanfare or press releases. Here are a few of the manufacturers who have been in California for some time but seldom receive the attention of the press:

Hardly a week goes by these days without the announcement of a new job-creating solar plant sprouting up in California.

Today’s headlines were about plans for a 500 MW plant in King’s County
— one of the areas hardest hit by the recession. Several
California-based solar companies are heavily involved with the project, which will create thousands of high-wage jobs during construction.

This solar
facility — which will ultimately provide enough electricity to power
100,000 households — joins many more that have been put in place, are
under construction, or are on the drawing boards in the Golden State.
All told, more than 10,000 projects are in the works in the state —
far eclipsing that of any of our state’s rivals. (For a complete list,
visit www.californiasolarstatistics.ca.gov).