YOUR TURN: “The Upstate is Powering Growth” By: Hal Johnson
The Upstate of South Carolina will never be a leader when it comes to the production of oil, but that does not mean our region is falling behind in the energy creation department.
In fact, the Upstate has been one of the leaders in nuclear, solar and wind energy for years and green energy growth could be one of the next big economic impacts for the region.
The Upstate is home to three existing nuclear facilities (Oconee, Catawba and Virgil C. Summer in Jenkinsville) with two more facilities projected for the area. Those plants helps make South Carolina the third largest net generator of nuclear power in the nation with more than 3.8 million megawatt hours of nuclear energy produced.
In addition, the solar industry is rising in the Upstate with several companies helping create an economic footprint of investment and jobs. Swiss-based Staubli has its North American headquarters located in Duncan where it manufactures electrical connector systems, connectors, cables and junction boxes for the solar power market. Ulbrich Precision Flat Wire in Westminster makes copper flat wire for solar cell tabbing. Warptek in Wellford provides warping services for solar protective fabrics. And then there is Kemet, which has grown in the green energy market making capacitors for wind, tidal, geothermal and solar energy generation.
GE is designing a wide range of energy and infrastructure products in the wind industry at its 413-acre campus in Greenville. Meanwhile, Timken’s Tyger River location is supplying wind turbines to one of the world’s top wind power equipment manufacturers, China’s Xinjiang Goldwind Science and Technology Company. In addition, companies such as ILJIN America, Ahlstrom and AGY are expanding into the wind energy components industry.
Green energy infrastructure will play a large part in our future growth as well. South Carolina ranks fifth in the nation when it comes to the amount of LEED certified buildings and 19 of those buildings are in the Upstate. Companies such as GE, Jacobs Engineering, CH2M Hill and Shaw are producing engineers who are working on a host of projects in the green energy field.
Energy efficiency is a major part of this with companies such as Baldor, which designs energy efficient motors, leading the way. BMW was ranked No. 7 on the EPA’s Top 20 Green Power Partners list. Clemson University and Furman University are both big on sustainability plans for their campuses. South Carolina has adopted energy standards for public buildings and other energy-reduction goals that together are meant to reduce energy use by 20 percent from 2000 levels by July 1, 2020.
There is an atmosphere of green growth and a lot of excitement about energy that it is creating a groundswell of support. Outside companies see that atmosphere of energy growth and forward thinking ideas and will want to put down their flags here as well. The Upstate is a leader in the energy growth world and we want to remain there.
Hal Johnson is president and CEO of the Upstate SC Alliance, a public/private regional economic development organization designed to market the 10 counties in South Carolina’s Upstate. Additional information is available through the Alliance’s web site, www.upstateSCalliance.com.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed by the author are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of CRESCENT: The Magazine.
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