SEM co-founders Bob & Maria Kingery weigh in on the Solar Jobs Bill and the Energy Independence & Job Creation Bill.
Solar power has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in North Carolina while delivering safe and affordable electricity. That promise comes to a head this week at a national conference and at the General Assembly.
At the Raleigh Convention Center, thousands of entrepreneurs and experts will gather for the American Solar Energy Society’s national meeting, celebrating an average 40 percent industry growth per year, including 2,000 jobs in North Carolina.
Meanwhile, our legislature is considering two proposals that would give homegrown solar companies a chance to thrive and hire even more people.
The Solar Jobs Bill (House Bill 495/Senate Bill 473) and the Energy Independence & Job Creation Bill (SB 694) would make our utility markets more competitive. The N.C. Sustainable Energy Association estimates that by passing these bills, lawmakers could create an estimated 8,350 new jobs by 2015.
According to a recent public opinion poll, 90 percent of North Carolinians support the increased use of solar power, with 75 percent backing the Solar Jobs Bill and 85 percent lining up behind the Energy Independence legislation.
We urge lawmakers to flip the switch on an energy solution that puts our people and our greatest natural resource to work.
Bob and Maria Kingery
Co-Founders, Southern Energy Management
Morrisville
Michael Shore
CEO, FLS Energy
Asheville
Read the entire Letter to the Editor in the News & Observer here.
