Manufacturing needs created more than 532,000 jobs in 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. If none of these manufacturing companies utilized green energy, our air would be as polluted as China’s.
To combat severe air pollution while maintaining one of the largest sectors of the U.S. economy, many manufacturers have moved to finding cleaner sources of energy.
Dr. Joseph Roise, professor in forestry and environmental resources, says his department has been studying green manufacturing for years.
“Green manufacturing requires the company to keep in mind the sustainability of the product they are using, and the resources they need to make it,” Roise said. “Companies must try to use sustainable energy without hampering their ability to produce their product.”
A completely green development is almost impossible today, according to Roise, but many companies have taken a step toward more environmentally friendly manufacturing methods.
North Carolina’s environmental congresswoman, Pricey Harrison, says sustainable energy is a sector of the economy that is increasing.
“Green is an area of the economy that will continue to grow,” Harrison said. “We need a carbon-constrained future. Congress and authorities will understand we need energy that will not harm our environment and planet.”
North Carolina has become a leader of green energy in the southeast, according to Harrison.
“We have pushed policies and laws that go for green energy,” said Harrison. “The green energy portfolio standard requires a certain percent of our energy needed to be clean. This was adopted in 2007, and it was a big step, we are the only state in the southeast with that requirement.”
Environmental Entrepreneurs released an assessment on March 6 ranking North Carolina as second in the nation for clean energy jobs.
The organization also said that North Carolina leads the southeast and is becoming a center for green energy manufacturing.
The report stated that the west coast still remains the best region in terms of clean energy, but North Carolina has entered the top-tier mix due to growth in electric vehicle manufacturing and light rail manufacturing.
ABB, a Swiss international corporation that focuses on technology, is headquartered in Cary. ABB strives to lower their environmental impact, and cables used for wind energy are made in the manufacturing plant in Huntersville, according to the Environmental Entrepreneurs report.
A company located in Asheville called Biowheels RTS focuses on making solar-powered charging docks for electric vehicles and is expecting to create over 1,000 new jobs out of the company’s projects, according to WRAL Tech Wire.
Harrison said she is very proud of the steps our state is making towards clean sources of energy.
“We have made a deliberate effort to promote green energy in North Carolina,” Harrison said. “There are wind turbines and solar components in Charlotte. Greensboro is looking at solar cell production. There is a lot of interest here.”
However, the state still has a lot of work to do, according to Roise.
“Our laws regarding clean energy are not as strong as other states, so some companies do not follow them,” Roise said. “But a lot of manufacturers are trying to do better, to pollute less and be more sustainable, and it is great that we are moving in that direction.”
Companies like Environmental Manufacturing Solutions try to make it easier for companies to go green by providing more environmentally friendly products to replace cleaning products that do heavy damage to the ecosystem.
Honda has been named the most fuel-efficient auto company in the United States, according to CNN. The company focuses on two alternative fuel sources and strives to be the cleanest and most efficient manufacturer in the world.
“Green energy jobs are great in this economy,” said Harrison. “Many colleges in North Carolina focus on green energy and green manufacturing jobs, which will beef up the work force and help North Carolina continue to be a leader in green energy.”
