Investment in renewable energy from the federal American Jobs Plan means Ohioans should expect to see an increase in renewable jobs across the state.
Heather Taylor-Meisle, President of the Ohio Environmental Council Action Fund, spoke last week at a panel discussion about renewable energy jobs. She said the American Jobs Plan will incentivise U.S. companies to go green.
“It’s gonna invest about 300 billion dollars to re-tool and revitalize American’s manufacturers including providing incentives for manufacturers who are investing in innovative clean energy projects,” said Taylor-Meisle.
Last month, the company First Solar announced a $680 million investment in a new solar panel manufacturing plant in Northwest Ohio. First Solar is the largest solar panel manufacturer in the United States.
Michael Koralewski is the Chief Manufacturing Operations Officer for First Solar. At last week's panel he said investment in Ohio talent will give First Solar an edge in the Chinese-dominated market.
“As they push to monopolize the global supply we need to leapfrog its industrial dominance and subsidies with American ingenuity and innovation,” said Koralewski.
When the factory opens in 2023, it will be the largest fully-integrated solar manufacturer outside of China. It’s expected to create around 500 jobs.