SunTechnics, Mesa Environmental Merger is Direct Result of Rendell Energy
Initiatives
HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G.
Rendell today hailed the merger of California solar energy giant
SunTechnics with Pennsylvania-based Mesa Environmental Sciences Inc., a
move that will spark the development of $50 million in new solar energy
projects and more than double the number of jobs at the company's new East
Coast headquarters in Malvern, Chester County.
"This announcement reinforces how our clean energy initiatives have
established Pennsylvania as a national leader in attracting international
investment in alternative energy development," Governor Rendell said. "Our
efforts will continue to pay off for years to come, creating high-paying
jobs for Pennsylvanians and saving consumers billions of dollars in energy
costs."
The newly formed company, Mesa Energy LLC, is a subsidiary of
SunTechnics, based in Sacramento. SunTechnics is the world's largest solar
integration company with facilities in 22 countries worldwide, and is the
sales and installation arm of Hamburg, Germany-based manufacturer Conergy
AG. In November, Governor Rendell joined Conergy officials to announce
plans to locate the company's financial subsidiary, Epuron, in
Pennsylvania.
Today's announcement foreshadows planned investments by Conergy of more
than $100 million in new solar and biofuels projects in the commonwealth.
"Our initiatives have attracted some of the world's largest renewable
energy companies to Pennsylvania, and we have enacted energy and investment
policies that ensure these companies can compete in the marketplace,"
Governor Rendell said. "In addition to bringing the world's leading solar
energy developer to Pennsylvania, this merger gives Mesa the ability to
immediately pursue more than $50 million in renewable energy opportunities
that will create new jobs and boost Pennsylvania's economy."
Governor Rendell made the announcement at the Friends Center in
Philadelphia, where the newly formed company will install a photovoltaic
solar array that will annually generate 20,000 kilowatt hours and reduce
carbon emissions by 15 tons each year. The project is partially funded from
a $701,366 Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority grant to the
Sustainable Development Fund. The Friends Center received $42,750 of that
amount.
SunTechnics is one of the global leading suppliers of turnkey renewable
energy systems and has founded subsidiaries in Portugal, Singapore, and
South Korea in the past two years. Mesa Environmental Sciences Inc. has
installed numerous solar power systems at government and institutional
buildings including emergency power backup systems for critical electronics
at the Governor's Residence in Harrisburg and DEP's Southeast Regional
Office Building in Norristown.
The Conergy group is the world's largest developer of renewable energy
systems, focusing principally on solar, wind and bio-energy projects. The
company has more than 1,500 employees worldwide with estimated revenues of
$1 billion in 2006. The company cited the opportunities created under
Governor Rendell's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards among the reasons
for selecting Pennsylvania for its North American base.
Governor Rendell recently unveiled his Energy Independence Strategy, a
visionary plan to invest $850 million to significantly expand
Pennsylvania's alternative fuel and clean energy industries, stabilize
electricity rates for businesses, reduce dependence on foreign oil and cut
consumer energy costs by $10 billion over the next decade.
The Governor's proposal includes a $200 million Pennsylvania Sunshine
Solar Initiative that provides incentives for solar manufacturers to
establish operations in Pennsylvania, and offers rebates to cover up to 50
percent of the cost of new solar systems for homeowners and small
businesses.
"Innovative clean energy development is helping to power Pennsylvania's
new economy, and we're well-positioned to embrace even greater
opportunities as markets continue to grow," Governor Rendell said. "My
Energy Independence Strategy will help Pennsylvania consumers save money by
encouraging electric conservation during periods of peak demand and by
reducing the need to build costly new generating plants."
The Governor's Energy Independence Strategy also offers incentives for
electricity generators to invest in conservation measures, and offers
rebates to small businesses and homeowners who trade in inefficient home
cooling appliances.
Pennsylvania's energy portfolio ensures that 18 percent of all energy
generated in the state comes from clean, efficient sources by 2020. It also
sets ambitious standards for solar power, requiring that solar sources
generate 0.5 percent of all electricity in the commonwealth, an equivalent
to powering almost 80,000 typical homes per year in Pennsylvania.
By mandating the use of alternative energy sources, the Governor and
the General Assembly have given business the confidence to invest in clean
energy research and development. Benefits to Pennsylvania include $10
billion in increased output for the commonwealth, $3 billion in additional
earnings, and as many as 4,000 news jobs for residents over the next 20
years.
The Governor recently redoubled the commonwealth's "green" electricity
commitment to 20 percent, making Pennsylvania the largest state purchaser
of green electricity in the nation. Earlier this month, Pennsylvania
received a 2006 Green Power Leadership award from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy for its green
electricity purchasing leadership. The annual awards recognize leading
national green power purchasers and suppliers for their commitment and
contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's green power
market.
Pennsylvania also is second only to California in the number of
buildings certified by the U.S. Green Building Council under the
internationally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
program.
Governor Rendell recently announced the investment of more than $3
million in Alternative Fuel Incentive Grants to stimulate the production,
distribution and use of biofuels made in Pennsylvania.
The nation's first coal gasification-liquefaction plant is being built
in northeastern Pennsylvania. The facility will use waste coal to produce
40- million gallons of clean-burning diesel fuel each year. What the
Governor is doing to support the project is unprecedented, creating a fuel
consortium with private industry to purchase nearly all output.
Pennsylvania will lock in its supply for some 10 years at prices well below
current market values and ensure a long-term, viable market for the plant.
For the second consecutive year, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency has recognized Pennsylvania for its national energy leadership in
putting landfill gas to work, powering economic growth and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. Pennsylvania is home to 24 operational
gas-to-energy projects. DEP estimates these projects generate more than 100
megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 250,000 homes for a
year. Additionally, the projects annually generate approximately 7,000
million standard cubic feet of landfill gas for industrial/commercial uses.
Brought back to life after years of inactivity, the Pennsylvania Energy
Development Authority has awarded $21 million in grants and loans for 57
clean energy projects that will leverage $240 million in private
investment. The projects will create 975 permanent and construction jobs.
The Pennsylvania Energy Harvest Grant Program has awarded $21 million
and leveraged another $51.9 million in private funds since its inception in
May 2003 for projects using sources such as wind, solar, biomass, waste
coal and recycled energy.
For more information on Governor Rendell's Energy Independence Strategy
visit DEP's Web site at http://www.depweb.state.pa.us, Keyword: "Energy."
The Rendell Administration is committed to creating a first-rate public
education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing
economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out
more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly
newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us .
CONTACT: Kate Philips
717-783-1116
Tom Rathbun, DEP
717-787-1323
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
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Related links:
http://www.governor.state.pa.us
http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/
CONTACT:
Kate Philips of the Pennsylvania Office of
the Governor, +1-717-783-1116; or Tom Rathbun of DEP,
+1-717-787-1323
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