U.S. EPA Administrator visits NEXTracker and Solaria in Fremont to Discuss Climate Action and Paris Agreement — and Clean Tech Innovation
U.S. EPA Administrator visits NEXTracker and Solaria in Fremont to Discuss Climate Action and Paris Agreement — and Clean Tech Innovation
On the heels of the historic Paris Agreement / COP21 accords signed last week, U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy joined with leading Silicon Valley clean tech firms –NEXTracker and Solaria– on Wednesday to highlight how California businesses are developing innovative solar solutions to mitigate and combat climate change – and lead the U.S. transition to a clean energy economy. NEXTracker CEO Dan Shugar and Solaria CEO Suvi Sharma led the tour of their solar manufacturing facilities in Fremont. During her visit, Administrator McCarthy saw how NEXTracker and Solaria are helping the U.S. move forward with innovations that help mitigate and combat climate change while creating jobs. More than 2.5 million Americans work in the clean energy field, with about 209,000 people in the solar industry. More than one-third of those solar jobs are in California.
Administrator McCarthy praised the two companies for their innovations in solar photovoltaics that accelerate efficiency and reduce costs.
“NEXTracker and Solaria are innovative, cutting edge companies that represent the best of the United States, delivering really efficient solar energy. We’ve done a lot of regulatory work –like the Clean Power Plan– to pave a strategy for long term success. President Obama understands the challenge of climate change, the challenge we face in energy – that it’s really not just environmental problem. It’s an economic challenge, it’s a national security challenge – and, more importantly, it’s an opportunity for the U.S. to continue to be international leaders. This is what the President’s energy initiatives have been all about – investing in the clean energy infrastructure of America,” said Administrator McCarthy. “The President is so bullish; he believes in America’s ability to innovate. It has been revolutionary – seeing what you’re doing here, and seeing solar move so quickly in six years. It’s amazing.”
“We’re so honored to welcome Administrator McCarthy to Fremont today,” said Solaria CEO Suvi Sharma. “Ms. McCarthy’s work and that of the Obama Administration has put us the path to achieving a clean energy future, reducing pollution and combating climate change,” noted NEXTracker CEO Dan Shugar.The U.S. has taken historic steps to sharply reduce its emissions under President Obama’s Climate Action Plan, putting the nation on track to meet its 2020 goal of reducing emissions to 17 percent below 2005 levels. Last year, the solar industry added workers at a rate nearly 12 times faster than the overall economy. Global investments in renewable energy hit a world record in 2015 at $286 billion.
