Political leaders, students among those present
USC paired with the Nature Conservancy and the South Carolina Energy Office to host the second annual Clean Energy and Jobs Forum.
Most discussions led back to how energy efficiency and research would help the job economy and the different industries of South Carolina.
Corporations from all over the state want a cleaner, more efficient and fiscal way of running their companies.
“Energy is the first or second biggest cost at every plant,” said Lewis Gossett, the president of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance. “The future of manufacturing is dependent upon adequate and reliable energy sources.”
SCMA partners with major companies in the state such as Boeing, BMW and BP to promote economic health and seek positive support in the state legislature.
Rep. Jim Clyburn confidently backed all progress South Carolina has made toward greener energy, citing the success of Clemson’s wind turbine test facility that received $45 million from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Will Rigdon, a mechanical engineering graduate student, attended the event both for seminar hours and to see what his chances were attaining a job.
“[This forum is] important because panel members are discussing the future of clean energy and jobs and how it is important to the future of South Carolina,” Rigdon said.