Sacramento Clean Tech Showcase Highlights Region’s Top Entrepreneurs and Innovators

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 700 people today attended the 2010 Clean Tech Showcase at Sacramento State, which featured the latest innovations in solar, wind, biofuel, and energy-efficient technologies.
  
Organized by SARTA’s CleanStart, and presented by SMUD and Sacramento State among other sponsors, the event brought together the region’s most influential leaders in renewable energy and environmental technology. Ninety companies exhibited their products and technologies along with seven of the region’s most innovative startups known as Fresh Faces.

Featured speakers included Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, Kim Walesh, Chief Strategist for the City of San José and Mark Miller, CEO of Project Frog.

Also on Tuesday, the California Smart Grid Center at Sacramento State held a ribbon cutting to celebrate its launch. Funded by the California Energy Commission, the Center supports development of smart-grid upgrades to the nation's electric grid.

Green Jobs Jumped 87% between 2000 and 2008

The number of clean technology firms in the Sacramento area has tripled in the last four years from 30 to more than 110, the fastest rate of green-job growth in the country. Green jobs jumped 87% between 2000-2008, resulting in about 13,100 jobs here in manufacturing and support services.

“There is a growing momentum in forming new clean tech companies in Sacramento,” said Gary Simon, CleanStart’s co-chairman. “The region has great assets in world-class research facilities, a growing community of entrepreneurs looking to change the world, and great access to government funding and venture capital.”

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is spearheading a regional “Greenwise” Initiative to coordinate and energize public and private commitments to green and clean technology, while the Sacramento Metro Chamber has elevated the growth of clean tech companies to the head of its priority list and U.C. Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi is making a Sustainability Initiative the centerpiece of her early priorities for the campus.

The Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA) and its CleanStart program help entrepreneurs and start-up companies assemble solid management teams, secure adequate funding and accelerate commercialization of sound product ideas. CleanStart was born out of a needs assessment study jointly funded and managed by the California Energy Commission and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District.

California Indian Manpower Consortium Partners With U.S. Science and Technology to Develop Renewable Energy Projects and Create Green Jobs

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The California Indian Manpower Consortium (CIMC) today announced a statewide alliance with U.S. Science and Technology (USST), a renewable energy project development company. CIMC is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the purpose of working for the social welfare, educational and economic advancement of California Native Americans. The alliance is the first partnership formed to fulfill the economic development and environmental program goals of CIMC's Green Jobs Initiative announced on May 12, 2009.

Through this partnership, CIMC will utilize U.S. Science and Technology's engineering and project management expertise to explore the feasibility and development of renewable energy installments that utilize versatile and environmentally friendly technologies across tribal communities in the state of California. Projects under consideration could utilize commercially proven waste-to-energy, solar, and wind power technologies.

"We are excited to form this alliance with USST," said Lorenda Sanchez, Executive Director of CIMC. "This partnership will open the door for California's tribes to take an active role in protecting their Native lands and the environment. At the same time, Native Americans will now have opportunities to lead the way in the new green economy while addressing employment issues in tribal communities."

Under the alliance, USST will identify suitable renewable energy solutions by assessing wind and solar resources and critical waste management problems, (problematic waste streams and regions), across California's tribal communities. For projects authorized by individual tribes, USST will manage the engineering, development and operation of renewable energy installments while coordinating job training and community enrichment services.

"We see this alliance as a win-win for the tribes, the land and the environment," said Bill Ludwig, President and Chief Executive Officer of USST. "We look forward to working with CIMC to develop renewable energy solutions that will create new jobs and revenue sources for California's tribal communities, while protecting the environment for generations to come."

CIMC will oversee all activities to ensure projects meet environmental and economic compliance. CIMC will also work closely with the tribes to ensure all concerns are addressed, information is readily accessible, and that tribal input is implemented. Projects will be completely financed by outside sources, including project investment financing, and grant monies, with minimal or no financial contribution from CIMC.